EARLIER today, Gogglebox star Paige Deville sensationally quit the show with an explosive rant on Twitter, accusing the Channel 4 hit of being “restrictive” and offering “zero after-care”.
It is just the latest difficult moment that the popular programme has had to endure in recent weeks, with three of its stars tragically passing away and five more quitting since the last series.
Despite the huge high of winning the National Television Award for Factual Entertainment Programme for the seventh year in a row earlier this month, Gogglebox has been blighted with tragedy.
In June, long-time star Pete McGarry passed away at the age of 71, with he and wife Linda delighting fans when they appeared on the sofas alongside their son George Gilbey – who went on to star in Celebrity Big Brother.
While George had long-quit the show, Linda and Pete made occasional appearances in recent series – but it was confirmed this week that Linda will not be taking part as she continues to grieve her husband.
Last month, Mary Cook died at the age of 92 – prompting her best friend Marina to step away from the show this series.
Shortly after Mary’s death was revealed, it was sadly announced that Andy Michael had also passed away after a short illness at the age of 61.
He’d appeared on the show since the very first series alongside his wife Carolyne and their children Alex and Louis, with their two other children Katy and Pascal also making infrequent appearances over the years.
However, none of the family will be returning this series.
In addition to the bereaved family and friends, 24-year-old Paige, and her mum Sally – who she has appeared alongside since joining the show in 2015 – make seven Gogglebox favourites to be absent in the upcoming series, which will hit our screens tonight.
Taking to her Twitter page today, the Brummie wrote: “I have made the decision to walk away from Gogglebox. It’s been an experience but one I cannot continue with due to long hours of filming, restrictiveness, control of our actions and opinions & zero aftercare support but hey who cares about ex cast, [they’re] NTA winners.”
Meanwhile, fellow sofa-dweller Julie Malone honoured the late Gogglebox favourites as she accepted a National Television Award on the show’s behalf earlier this month.
In a moving tribute that had viewers in tears, she shared: “On behalf of the Gogglebox family, I would just like to say a massive thanks for this award and on a sadder note, I’d like to dedicate it to all the people we’ve lost over the last 18 months.
“Andy, Pete, Mary and everybody’s favourite grandma June who has been reunited with Leon.”
Original cast member June Bernicoff passed away in May 2020 – three years after her beloved husband Leon.
