Gogglebox in hot water over Meghan Markle scandal

The show's the subject of quite the controversy

Gogglebox complaints Meghan Markle

by Nathan Katnoria |
Updated on

Gogglebox has been hit by a number of Ofcom complaints after viewers took issue with comments made about Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s tell-all interview with Oprah.

Cast members including Stephen Webb and Sophie and Pete Sandiford made jokes at the expense of both Meghan and the royal family as they watched the show after Prince Harry suggested that The Firm wanted Meghan to start acting again to cover their security costs.

Stephen responded, “What did they want her to do? Get her a part in EastEnders?"

Gogglebox Sophie and Pete
©Channel 4

Meanwhile brother and sister duo Sophie and Pete joked, “Stick her in the gift shop while you're at it.

“You know, 30 hours a week in the gift shop should cover her funds."

But the cast’s ribbing of the royals has resulted in 51 complaints to Britain’s broadcasting watchdog for “anti-royalist commentary”.

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The Tappers were the super loud family of four from North London, but had their spot on Gogglebox rescinded after Amy's stint on Celebs Go Dating, due to the producers "no celebs" rule.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

Gogglebox Jenny and Lee
©Channel 4

Not all of the Goggleboxers were gripped by Meghan and Harry’s interview though as Lee revealed that his best pal Jenny fell asleep as it aired on our screens.

Lee shared a clip of Jenny having a snooze while the interview aired on Monday evening until he interrupted her nap by screaming, leaving her startled.

“You frightened me to death. Why has the sound gone off the telly? You are a prat you,” Jenny said as she woke up, to which Lee laughed, “I was talking to you and you fell asleep.”

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The fallout from Meghan and Harry’s bombshell TV special hasn’t just caused problems for Gogglebox, as Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan quit the show in a row about freedom of speech after causing controversy with his comments about the Duchess.

Piers broke the record for Ofcom complaints after questioning claims made by Meghan in the interview; in which she explained past thoughts of suicide.

"Who did you go to? What did they say to you? I’m sorry, I don’t believe a word she said, Meghan Markle. I wouldn’t believe it if she read me a weather report,” he said on Monday 8 March’s edition of GMB.

ITV released a statement the following day announcing, “Piers Morgan has decided now is the time to leave Good Morning Britain. ITV has accepted the decision and has nothing further to add.”

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