Gogglebox’s Sophie Sandiford reveals she’s lost her job as Debenhams closes

The TV star has opened up on social media

Sophie Sandiford Gogglebox

by Nathan Katnoria |
Updated on

Gogglebox fave Sophie Sandiford has opened up about losing her job at Debenhams in her latest social media post.

The 24-year-old, who stars on the show alongside her brother Pete, revealed that she is one of thousands of workers whose jobs are at risk after the retail chain announced it was going into liquidation.

But ever the optimist, Sophie vowed to keep smiling despite the closure of the department store she works at.

Sophie posed in front of the shop with a colleague for a snap she posted on Instagram with the caption, “We might be going but we are going with a smile 💓 #debenhams.”

The TV star’s followers were quick to share messages of support in the comments section, with one writing, “So sorry for everyone being made redundant ❤️.”

CHECK OUT axed Gogglebox stars: where are they now?

Gallery

AXED Gogglebox stars: then and now - slider

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CREDIT: Channel 4

The Moffatts then

Arguably the shows biggest export, Scarlett Moffatt has gone on to do some incredible things since leaving the show in 2016, winning I'm a Celeb and landing presenting roles on Extra Camp and Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

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CREDIT: Instagram

The Moffatts now

The rest of the family are still thick as thieves, as Scarlett's recent tribute to her dad Mark proves. After Scarlett gained celeb status, the whole family were axed, leaving Scarlett gutted – but they're certainly enjoying her celeb status, with "secret" little sister Ava making pals with Joe Swash's son Harry, and glitzy parties galore.

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CREDIT: Channel 4

The Tappers then

The Tappers were the super loud family of four from North London, but had their spot on Gogglebox rescinded after Amy's stint on Celebs Go Dating, due to the producers "no celebs" rule.

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CREDIT: Getty

The Tappers now

But despite returning to their day jobs the family are still as tight knit as ever, with Nikki and Jonathon recently celebrating their 23rd wedding anniversary.Jonathon – a chauffer - has recently shed 3 and half stone and is almost unrecognisable from his Gogglebox days and son Josh is a budding politician.

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CREDIT: Channel 4

Sandi and Sandra then

Sandi first crashed onto our screens alongside best friend Sandra, with their incredible nails and plentiful takeaways, and had to deny claims they'd fallen out after Sandra seemingly made a dig at Sandi's 'celebrity' lifestyle after leaving the show.

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CREDIT: Twitter

Sandi now

She's since gone on to do a number of reality TV projects including CBB in 2017 and Famous and Fighting Crime last year, and is an aspiring soul singer.She's also thecousin of Naomi Campbell.

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CREDIT: Channel 4

Sandra and Chanchez then

Sandra decided to stay on the show for a time after Sandi left, and enlisted her daughter Chanchez to keep her company on the sofa.

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CREDIT: Twitter

Sandra now

Despite her fame and status as one of the most popular Goggleboxers ever, Sandra admitted to us last year that she was "broke" and moving into an over 55 home after being homeless for months. Last year she announced she would be getting married to her unnamed boyfriend, but from her social media still looks to be single.

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CREDIT: Channel 4

George Gilbey then

Another 'boxer deemed 'too sleb' for the sofa, George Gibley's time on Gogglebox came to an end after he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, coming fourth, and snogging celebrity ladies Stephanie Pratt AND Edele Lynch.

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CREDIT: Twitter

George Gilbey now

After a brief return to the show, George's life has taken a distinctly less glamorous turn, and last year narrowly avoiding prison when he was charged with trying to strangle his ex-girlfriend while their daughter slept upstairs.

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CREDIT: Channel 4

Steph and Dom then

Steph and Dom Parker are another Gogglebox family to have done very well for themselves since leaving the show in 2017. Their excellent comedic chemistry has landed them their own radio show on talkRadio, and they've hosted a number of telly shows, like 2014's Steph and Dom meet Nigel Farage.

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CREDIT: BBC

Steph and Dom now

But there's a serious side to the Sandwich dwelling, B&B owning couple, too. Earlier this year they hosted an investigative documentary looking into medical marijuana, as parents to severely epileptic son Max, 18.

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CREDIT: Channel 4

Mummy Pat then

Pat Webb is the mother of OG 'boxer Stephen Webb and temporarily stepped in to replaced his ex and friend Chris when he left in 2017 (more on that in a bit).

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CREDIT: Twitter

Mummy Pat now

We haven't seen much of Mummy Pat since she left the show, and viewers weren't happy to see her go, but she did rock a fascinator fabulously for Stephen's wedding to husband Daniel Lustig.

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CREDIT: Channel 4

Christopher Ashby-Steed then

Christopher Ashby-Steed joined Stephen Webb on the first EVER episode of Gogglebox in 2013. At first they were in a romantic relationship – but after they broke up, decided to continue working together on the show.

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CREDIT: Twitter

Christopher Ashby-Steed now

However, things eventually turned pretty sour between the two, and earlier this year Chris gave an interview with The Mirror where he claimed Stephen had "bullied" him off the show."A year on, I've finally had the courage to stand up to a bully and start to tell the story of how @Stephenwebb71 forced of off @C4Gogglebox and how it's affected my mental health since," he tweeted, adding that he'd received no mental health aftercare, which is an "industry-wide failing".He's found his happy ever after, though, wit a new husband.

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CREDIT: Channel 4

Leon and June then

Leon and June Bernicoff were the hilarious elderly couple who had us alternatively in stitches/tears from the first episode, up until Leon's tragic death in December 2017. Deciding not to continue on the show without her husband, June has largely stepped out of the limelight but occasionally gives interviews, and wrote a memoir about her 62 year marriage called Leon and June: Life, Love and Laughter – Our Story.

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CREDIT: ITV

Leon and June now

June sadly passed away at the age of 82 in May 2020. Her death was announced in a statement by Channel 4, which read, "We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox's much-loved June Bernicoff passed away at the age of 82 on May 5 at home with her family by her side after a short illness."As the first couple to be cast for Gogglebox back in 2013, June and her husband Leon were a huge part of the programme's success. Their warmth, wit and contrasting personalities endeared them to the nation during the course of the first 10 series."

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CREDIT: Channel 4

Silent Jay then

One of the most iconic Goggleboxers of all time, Silent Jay – AKA Jay Makin – gained legions of fans with his hilarious facial expressions. He was the boyfriend of Eve Woerdenweber, but left the show after they split.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Silent Jay now

After his departure in the show in 2015, Jay told The Sun, "I get recognised as that guy who never speaks — and most people get shocked by how much I talk. I am generally quite talkative."They just edit the bits where I talk out."

Another added, “Sorry to hear this luvvy, hope you manage to get something sorted xxx,” while a third commented, “Sorry to hear that, sure you and your brother will have your own TV show soon…”

Sophie’s Gogglebox co-star Ellie Warner also sent her condolences, writing, “Hate what’s happening to the high street 😓 all the best and good luck 💓💓💓.”

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Sophie’s sad news comes after she shared an adorable throwback photo of her and Pete to celebrate his birthday.

“Happy birthday to the best big brother in the world!” she captioned the post. “May there be many more years that I make you dress up in silly costumes, we laugh, cry and scream our heads off.

“Wherever life takes us, I hope we remain best friends forever. Wishing you all the happiness the world has to offer. Love ya r kid💙 @sandifordpete.”

Pete replied to her cute tribute by commenting, “The Velcro on those shoes was a bit long 😅 need another pair of them”, and Sophie responded, “Maybe Father Christmas might bring you some with some chord pants if you’re lucky😂😂”.

The sibling duo, who revealed they’re related to kids’ TV legends The Chuckle Brothers earlier this year, are absolute goals aren’t they?

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