Googlebox star Lee Riley has finally been able to reunite with his boyfriend of 26 years, Steve Mail, after being separated for nearly six months.
The couple were kept apart by the UK’s lockdown travel restrictions imposed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, since Steve lives in Cyprus while Lee resides in a mobile home in Hull.
Since they’ve been lifted 51-year-old Lee has now been able to make the journey to Cyprus to be with his boyfriend.
Adorable.
The Gogglebox fave shared a series of sweet snaps of the pair of them enjoying the sunshine accompanied by the caption: “Had the best time with the love of my life in our favourite restaurant! Love you to the moon and back #veniVinci #Cyprus 2020 #summernights #datenight #specialtimes #Gogglebox”.
Luckily Lee hasn’t been alone for the entirety of lockdown, as he and his best friend and co-star Jenny Newby made the decision to quarantine together in order to film the fifteenth series of the BAFTA-winning show together.
Get to know: the entire Gogglebox cast
RADIO Gogglebox cast stacked
1 of 17The Malone family
The Malone family, made up of Tom, Julie, Tom Jnr and Shaun, are one of the most popular families with fans. They first joined the cast in 2014. In February 2021, just one day before series 17, Tom Jr announced he'd quit the show. Don't worry though, his family will still feature!In March 2021, Tom and Julie's daughter Vanessa joined the show!
2 of 17Ellie and Izzi Warner
Sisters Ellie and Izzi Warner from Leeds have also become fan favourites after first joining the show in 2015. Izzi gave birth to a beautiful baby girl called Bessie Rose in early 2020, whilst Ellie recently unveiled a huge hair transformation. In early 2022, Izzi also introduced fans to her brand new puppy called Cookie. Ellie and Izzi took a break from Gogglebox during season 19, following Ellie's boyfriend Nat being left 'fighting for his life' after he was hit by a car during a night out in Leeds in March. Ellie later revealed on 13th May that her and sister Izzi would be returning to our screens that night, thanking fans for their well wishes.
3 of 17Pete and Sophie
Brother and sister duo Pete and Sophie Sandiford have become one of the most popular castings in Gogglebox history! The funny siblings first joined the cast in 2017. It seems that comedy runs in the family for these two, with the recent revelation that the pair are related to none other than Paul Chuckle himself!After getting married to his girlfriend Paige Yeomans, the pair welcomed their first child into the world in 2021, with little Jimmy already making an appearance on Gogglebox.
4 of 17Jenny and Lee
Best friends Jenny and Lee are also back, they first joined the show on series 4 back in 2014! The pair have us in fits of giggles with their banter both on and off the show.Jenny and Lee, who film the show from Lee's caravan in Hull, have been best friends for over 20 years and often delight fans by sharing throwback photos of each other.In series 19, Jenny and Lee took a break from the show after Jenny underwent surgery for a minor illness. The pair have confirmed they'll be back for series 20.
5 of 17Abbie and Georgia
Durham girls Abbie and Georgia first joined the show back in 2018. In 2022, just one month before series 19 hit our screens, Georgia announced she was expecting her first baby, confirming her due date is July 2022.
6 of 17Stephen Webb and Daniel Lustig
Hairdresser Stephen Webb has appeared on every single series of Gogglebox, and in 2019 his husband Daniel Lustig joined him! For the first few series, Stephen appeared alongside his best friend and fellow hairdresser Chris Ashby-Steed. As well as Stephen's mum also making an appearance, Daniel joined the show full time in 2019.
7 of 17Dave and Shirley
Welsh couple Dave and Shirley, who have been married for over 40 years, first joined the show back in 2015.
8 of 17The Siddiqui family
The Siddiqui family, made up of Umar, Baasit and their dad Sid, have become Gogglebox legends since joining the show back in series 1. Brother Raza also occasionally makes an appearance on the show, but due to working away, he can't always commit to filming.
9 of 17Giles and Mary
Gogglebox fans fell in love with Giles and his wife Mary when they joined the cast in 2015, mainly due to Giles' hilarious stories... Much to Mary's annoyance.
10 of 17Mica Ven and Marcus Luther
Long-term couple Mica Ven and Marcus Luther from South London first joined the cast of Gogglebox for series 11 back in 2018. Mica's two daughters Sachelle and Shuggy, from a previous relationship, also sometimes appear on the sofa.
11 of 17The Worthingtons
The Worthingtons, made up of Alison, her husband George and her daughter Helena, joined the cast in series 10. In 2019, Helena welcomed a baby boy called Edwin, and he's already made his debut.
12 of 17Amira and Iqra
Amira and Iqra first joined the show back in 2017 with their other friend Amani, but now it's just the two of them leaving viewers in stitches with their comments.
13 of 17Tremaine, Twaine and Tristan
Tremaine, Twaine and Tristan, brothers from Bristol, joined back in 2016, quickly becoming a big hit with viewers.
14 of 17The Baggs family
Despite not taking part in series 17 of the show, The Baggs family, featuring Lisa, Terry, George and Joe, returned for series 18.
15 of 17Simon and Jane
Joining the cast for series 18, Simon and his sister Jane appeared on the box for the first time on 22nd October 2021!They are also back for series 19!
16 of 17Ronnie and Annie
Joining the cast in November 2021 was Ronnie and his wife Annie!
17 of 17Roisin and Joe
Unveiled as brand new cast members on Friday 25th February 2022, young couple Roisin and Joe are the first Scottish people to appear on the show since 2016!
Jenny and Lee became friends when Jenny was the landlady of a pub called The Crown Inn in Paull; and Lee was a regular.
The duo joined the fourth series of the show back in 2014 after Jenny was approached by two Gogglebox researchers at Beverley Races Ladies’ Day.
However, it seems that Lee wasn’t originally keen on the idea and later revealed that it had taken Jenny “about an hour and half to talk me into it”.
We’re definitely glad that she eventually managed to convince him to be a part of the show.
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At the start of lockdown, Lee and Jenny posted a throwback snap of the pair on a cruise back in 2004, delighting Gogglebox fans everywhere.
The pic showed them both in formal attire with Jenny clutching a big bouquet of flowers. Lee humorously captioned the image: “Old photo 16 years ago of me and Jenny on a cruise taking the p**s and no before you ask we didn’t get married!”