We’re so used to watching the Gogglebox cast giving their opinions on the latest and greatest TV programmes every week that it’s easy to forget they actually have real jobs outside of the Channel 4 show.
Stephen Webb and his husband Daniel Lustig are hairdressers, for example, while Izzi Warner is a mortgage advisor and Baasit Siddiqui has been a secondary school teacher since 2007.
Now, another much-loved member of the cast has shared some exciting career news and we’re over the moon for them.
After sadly revealing she’d lost her job at Debenhams in December 2020 when the company went into administration, Sophie Sandiford began retraining as a florist and appears to have launched her own company called Petali Floristry.
Taking to her Instagram Story, Sophie, who appears on the show alongside her brother Pete, re-shared a post which announced when the business was opening its doors for the first time.
The post read, “We are pleased to announce the start of our new florist service, we are excited to create beautiful fresh floral designs for any occasion. Please DM to order hand tied bouquets, hat box and bag arrangements, or any other floristry enquiries.
“These will be available in: white and green, pink and white, florists choice of colour. Lots of love, Team Petali 💐.”
CHECK OUT: axed Gogglebox cast - then and now
AXED Gogglebox stars: then and now - slider
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.
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.
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The Tappers were the super loud family of four from North London, but had their spot on Gogglebox rescinded after Amy's stint on Celebs Go Dating, due to the producers "no celebs" rule.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
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."
Look! More news!
Gogglebox star looks unrecognisable after epic drag transformation
The business, which is based in the Sandifords’ hometown of Blackpool, has been supported by Gogglebox viewers who have flooded the comments section with support. One wrote, “Beautiful. Wished I lived closer so I could buy them. Good luck with your new business. Well done on passing your exams. Let us know when you are able to provide mail order. Love supporting new businesses xxx.”
Another added, “This has just brightened up my day 🌸 Simply beautiful 🌸,” while a third commented, “What a talent you have Sophie 👏❤️.”
WATCH: the top TV moments of 2021
Sophie’s new career venture is the latest exciting news for her and Pete after he welcomed his first child with wife Paige Yeomans last year. After letting slip that he was expecting a baby on the Channel 4 show, Pete opened up about life as a new dad at the National Television Awards.
He told the Mirror, "It's a bit overwhelming, got it all going on at the moment!"
Pete continued, "He's a cool little lad, takes after his mum not me!
"I’ve been up all night, I slept on the train here - got suitcases under my eyes, you just got me at a good time now."