Blog

It all kicks off this Friday night

Channel 4 has started to reveal which stars will join the cast of Celebrity Gogglebox for its upcoming new series.

Over the past few years, Celebrity Gogglebox has had its usual familiar faces on the sofa watching TV. And while there are a lot of returnees, this year the show is adding to its lineup.

The seventh season of the celebrity special – in aid of Stand Up To Cancer – begins on Friday (June 6). And, with only a few days to go, Channel 4 has started to release its cast lineup.

It looks set to be a great season already. So who is returning? And who is joining for the first time? Let’s look at the lineup so far…

Who is on Celebrity Gogglebox 2025?

Rylan Clark and his mum Linda have been fan favourites for years (Credit: Channel 4)

1. Rylan Clark and his mum, Linda

TV presenter Rylan Clark is a Celebrity Gogglebox expert by now. He appeared on the very first season way back in 2019.

But then the star took a break for two years, before returning in 2022 alongside his mum, Linda. And the pair have remained on the sofa ever since.

See you Friday!

After their return was announced on Channel 4’s Instagram, fans flooded the comments to celebrate.

One wrote: “Aww, I am so happy to see you both! See you Friday!”

Another penned: “It will be good to see both of you again.”

James Buckley is joining the cast with his wife (Channel 4)

2. James and Clair Buckley join Celebrity Gogglebox cast

Married couple James and Clair Buckley are joining the cast of 2025. James is best known for his role of Jay in the TV show The Inbetweeners.

The couple have two sons, and have a very popular online channel called At Home With The Buckleys and a podcast called In Sickness and In Health.

Celebrity Gogglebox confirmed the pair will join the cast this week.

Perri and Jordan return to the Celebrity Gogglebox cast (Channel 4)

3. Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely return to Celebrity Gogglebox cast

The Diversity stars are back on their sofa again, sharing their reactions to the latest TV shows.

The dancing duo first appeared on the show in 2021 as part of Channel 4’s Black to Front takeover, putting black talent in the spotlight.

Then, last year, they reappeared on the show. And fans are excited to have them back once again.

One commented: “Yesss! Can’t wait!”

Liv and Nick are returning (Credit: Channel 4)

4. Nick Grimshaw and niece Liv

Over the past few seasons, Nick Grimshaw and his niece Liv have become staples of Celebrity Gogglebox. And many fans have become invested in their lovely bond. So, it’s no surprise that they have been brought back for another year.

One fan wrote: “My fave Goggleboxers!”

5. Babatunde and Mo

Babátúndé Aléshé and Mo Gillian were the next pair to be announced. 

“Missed you guys,” said one fan of the pair. “Faves,” said another, as Mo urged Channel 4 not to show any horror films as they settle down to watch the box.

“No more scary movies though please,” the pair said in a clip uploaded to Instagram.

6. Ellie Simmonds and Richie Anderson

Strictly pals Ellie and Richie also return to the sofa for the new series of Celebrity Gogglebox.

“We are back on the sofa, so exciting,” said Ellie.

Followers agreed, with one declaring: “I will be watching you!”

7. Bez and Shaun return to Celebrity Gogglebox cast

Long-term favourites Bez and Shaun Ryder from the Happy Mondays are also back!

Bez revealed the snacks they had lined up for their Friday night in, while Shaun declared they were ready to “talk a load of [bleep]”!

8. Alex Scott and Jess Glynne

The One Show host and former Lioness Alex Scott is joining the Celebrity Gogglebox cast with girlfriend Jess Glynne for the first time ever. It’s a bit of a milestone for the women, who are set to give the Channel 4 cameras the first intimate look inside their relationship.

And the ladies seem almost as excited as their fans. “We are both so excited to be joining the Gogglebox family!” they said.

“No place I’d rather be!” quipped one fan, in a nod to Jess’ biggest hit. “Yay! Aww looking forward to this week’s episode even more,” said another.

Stacey Solomon has shared an update with fans on her dog Teddy following the news earlier this year that he needed an operation after it was discovered he had a health condition

Stacey Solomon has shared an update on her dog Teddy following his operation earlier this year(Image: Instagram/ @staceysolomon)

TV presenter Stacey Solomon has shared an update on her dog Teddy after it was discovered earlier this year that he had a health issue. He ended up having an operation and Stacey previously said that he “might not ever fully recover”.

Stacey, 35, announced in April that Teddy had an operation after it was found that he had a “predisposed condition”. She told her followers on Instagram at the time that he had become “suddenly unwell” prior to the procedure.

The family have since kept fans updated on their canine companion in the weeks since then, including a post shared by Stacey last month after Teddy returned home. As reported at the time, she said he had suffered a burst disc and “lost the use of his back legs”.

Stacey has now issued another update. Alongside a photo of Teddy, she wrote in a post uploaded this afternoon that it’s “likely” that he will “never get the feeling back” in his legs. She added that he will also need help emptying his bladder and walking.

Stacey Solomon has shared an update on her dog Teddy following his operation earlier this year(Image: Instagram/ @staceysolomon)

She wrote in her post: “Teddy update. So many of you asking. After his vet appointment it looks likely that Teddy will never get the feeling back in his legs & will need our help with urinating & assisted walks and physio forever.”

Stacey continued: “But the good news is … the vet was so pleased with how happy Teddy was & how well we are doing his physio & managing his bladder so me & Joe were really happy with that & felt extremely proud.”

She concluded: “I feel sad for Teddy but I’m also confident that me and Joe can give him the happiest life & all the love he deserves. So this new journey is forever. But we love Teddy so much we will just keep going & do our best to find new ways to keep him healthy & happy for as long as we can.”

Stacey has kept fans updated on Teddy following the discovery of a health issue(Image: Instagram/ @staceysolomon)

The latest update comes two months on from Stacey announcing that Teddy had needed surgery. She first shared the news on the platform back in April alongside photos of herself cradling him amid the experience.

She told fans at the time: “Our darling Teddy. Teddy became suddenly unwell on Thursday. It turns out he has a predisposed condition we had no idea about as he was a rescue.”

Stacey continued: “He has been operated on by incredible vets and the next 3-4 days are crucial for him to get through, even then, he might not ever fully recover. We are praying and hoping so hard that he pulls through & that we can care for him in the best way we possibly can to give him the best life he can have.”

She concluded the original post by sharing her family’s devastation over the situation. She wrote: “We are all truly devastated. He is the sweetest, most protective, loving dog. He’s our family. And far too young to be going through this.”

In a message to Teddy, she said: “We love you Ted. So so much. Pickle cottage is far too quiet without you. I miss my toilet buddy. Peanut is so sad without his best friend.”

Race Across the World paid tribute to a former contestant at the end of tonight’s episode, after it was revealed that Sam Gardiner has died aged 24 in a car crash

Sam Gardiner died at the age of 24(Image: BBC)

Race Across the World has honoured a past contestant following their untimely passing. The emotional tribute came at the close of Wednesday’s episode for 24-year-old Sam Gardiner, who passed away this week.

When the end credits began to roll, the viewers were met with a touching tribute to the series two adventurer. Displayed alongside Sam’s photo, the message read: “In loving memory of Sam Gardiner, 2000 to 2025.”

Fans of the hit BBC travel show expressed their sorrow on X (formerly Twitter), with one posting: “They gave Sam Gardiner an end card. Sad.” Another shared: “The tribute to Sam Gardiner [sad face],” and one more added: “Rest in peace to Sam Gardiner, who took part in series 2 with his Mum, Jo, back in 2020.” A fourth viewer noted: “Lovely tribute to Sam at the end,” while another wrote: “Rest in peace Sam.”

A tribute was left to Sam

Sam tragically died in a car crash on Sunday (June 1), as confirmed by his family, reports Plymouth Live. His mother Jo, who was his teammate on the 2019 series, and father Andrew offered a heartfelt statement: “We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son Sam in a terrible accident.

“We hold on to the beautiful memories of him, even though words can’t fully do justice to how much light and joy he brought into our world. Sam was adored by his family. As a son, brother and nephew, he was loyal, funny and fiercely protective.”

Sources revealed that after participating in Race Across the World, the experience “opened his eyes to the wonder of adventure and travel”. A heartwarming post was later made on Instagram by the official BBC travel series account, honouring Sam and Jo’s memorable journey from Mexico to Argentina.

“We are all deeply saddened to hear the tragic news about Sam, who died this week following a car accident,” the post read. The tribute expressed how evident it was to those who met him and viewers alike, just how life-changing and significant the journey had been for Sam and his mum, Jo.

The homage was wrapped up with: “Since filming, both Sam and Jo have been an integral part of the Race Across the World cast family and on behalf of us all from the BBC, production and the rest of the cast, we would like to extend our deepest condolences.”

Sam and mum Jo were unable to compete in the final leg of the race after they ran out of money. However, Sam had described his time on Race Across the World as a “life-changing” experience.

TV star and comedian Katherine Ryan is expecting her fourth child with her husband Bobby Koostra after sharing her wishes for more children

Comedian Katherine Ryan is expecting her fourth child. The TV star, 41, is already a proud mum to teenage daughter Violet, 15, as well as son Fred, three and daughter Fenna, two, with husband Bobby Kootstra.

Katherine first gave a hint that she was pregnant while making an appearance on her daughter Violet’s TikTok page last week, while the teen was sharing her reviews on UK Crumbl. On Monday, the star stepped out at the Ageing and Biohacking: The Science of Immortality at SXSW in London, showcasing her blossoming baby bump.

The star was glowing as she wore a figure-hugging dress, which highlighted her bump while posing on the red carpet. Katherine proudly posed for pictures before appearing on the stage as part of the talk.

A spokesperson for Katherine confirmed the happy news when approached by the Mirror. The news comes just months after Katherine underwent surgery after being diagnosed with skin cancer. She first spotted the signs after noticing a mole was changing. Prior to this, she had previously been diagnosed with stage two melanoma at the age of 21. Despite doctors insisting that her mole wasn’t cancerous, she demanded testing on it.

Katherine gave fans a glimpse of her bump while making an appearance on her daughter’s TikTok page ( 
Image:
TikTok/violetryan13)

She said on her podcast: “The mole kept changing, I know a lot about melanoma, I had stage two melanoma as a very young woman – aged 21 – on my leg, I’ve spoken about that before. But even when he looked at it, he was like, ‘it’s not melanoma, it’s totally fine, I will do a shave and send it away for testing’.” The comic went on to add that although her doctor assured her it was nothing to worry about, she felt differently.

After the mole was removed, she asked them to take out a larger portion and close it up with a straight stitch. But, Katherine revealed that even when the doctor looked at it, he said “‘It’s not melanoma, it’s totally fine, I will do a shave and send it away for testing.’” Soon after the doctor reassured Katherine once more that it was likely not melanoma, she was called back with the confirmation that it was cancerous.

Earlier this year, Katherine opened up on her wishes for a fourth child as she admitted she didn’t think time was on her side. The former Celebrity Gogglebox star visited a fertility clinic with husband Bobby and discussed the chances of them being able to conceive.

Katherine was glowing as she stepped out on Monday at an event in London ( 
Image:
Getty Images for SXSW London)
In the second season of her hit U&W show, At Home With Katherine Ryan, she said: “It’s not that surprising that over-40 women have fewer follicles than we once did

“But we talk a lot about male fertility as well, which is on a steep decline. But I would still like a fourth baby. We are so blessed to have the kids that we do have. Having children is not for everyone, but I personally really like making people. I think it’s a superpower, if you can do it.”

Things haven’t always been easy for the couple as they have welcomed two babies, had three miscarriages and juggled Bobby’s move to the UK from Canada.

Katherine and Bobby first dated when she was 15, before rekindling their romance in 2018 when she returned to Canada to film BBC show, Who Do You Think You Are?

Adjusting to co-parenting with Bobby has taken some time for Katherine, who had previously raised her daughter Violet alone after becoming a single mother at 25.

The comedian had previously expressed her desire to have a fourth child ( 
Image:However, she has been keen to add to their growing brood. Opening up on her concerns, she told OK! Magazine last year: “I’m old. I used to think I was going to be the babies’ dad because I’m working but actually I’m like their grandmother.

“My back hurts, sometimes I give them treats. I’m like a fun grandma.”

Speaking about their fertility, Katherine added: “We’ve always gotten pregnant with the babies quite quickly. I’ve been pregnant five times in five years, but that also means I’ve had three miscarriages in five years and the likelihood of that increases as you get older.

“You have to find a balance between what you can personally stand and risks you’re willing to take.” Katherine has made it clear that surrogacy isn’t for her.

“It’s controversial to say but I wouldn’t want that labour – both literal and also the workload – to fall on another woman,” she said. “I think surrogacy is wonderful. It’s beautiful for people who are really eager to offer it and for couples who need it but for me, I think it would be exploitative.”

Katherine also spoke about how having children with Bobby has been different to when she was a single parent. “Now Bobby has come into the picture, the babies are here and everyone is well supported because we’re a family unit,” she explained.

“I think arguably it’s better for the children to have siblings and a dad at home, but Violet and I were really happy and I like to intensely love one thing or one person.”

Romeo Beckham has split from his partner Kim Turnbull following speculation that his brother Brooklyn Beckham and Nicola Peltz were concerned about the relationship

Model Romeo Beckham has split up from his partner Kim Turnbull. The news this week comes after the couple’s relationship was previously blamed for the alleged rift within the Beckham family in recent months.

It’s now been revealed that Romeo, 22, and Kim, 24, have separated after seven months together. It’s said that their relationship “fizzled out” three weeks after his father David Beckham’s 50th birthday, which was at the start of last month.

The special occasion fuelled rumours of a family feud as David’s eldest son Brooklyn Beckham, 26, and his wife Nicola Peltz, 30, were thought to have been absent from celebrations. Romeo’s relationship with Kim was attributed as a factor in the alleged rift at one point, though more recently other parties have been blamed instead amid ongoing speculation.

Now, it’s been announced that Romeo and Kim have parted ways. A source told the Mirror: “They split a few weeks ago and it’s all amicable and they are still friends.”

Romeo Beckham (left) has split from his partner Kim Turnbull (right) just weeks ago ( 
Image:
Instagram)

And according to the Daily Mail, it’s been suggested that the apparent break-up is “nothing to do” with Kim being blamed for the alleged family feud. A source told the outlet: “Romeo and Kim are both young and they had a lovely time together but at that age things don’t always last forever and they decided to split up.” They added that the pair have been “friendly” since then.

They said it’s a “huge shame,” especially as Romeo’s parents David and Victoria Beckham, 51, “really adored” Kim and thought she made him “happy”. The source said things have “remained friendly” since the break-up a “couple of weeks ago”.

As reported by the outlet, the source went on to say that Romeo and Kim are both “busy” with their respective careers. They added that there lives involve “lots of travelling” at the moment.

The source said: “David and Victoria would hate for the view to be that they split because of Nicola and Brooklyn because that simply isn’t the case. The fact is that Kim has got a really busy career as a DJ and Romeo has a busy work life too, there is lots of travelling for both of them at having a relationship at this time isn’t all that conducive to their lives.”

Amid rumours of a family rift earlier this year, it was suggested that Romeo’s brother Brooklyn had once been romantically linked to Kim, though it’s previously been reported that in a now-deleted post, Cruz Beckham said the pair “never dated”.

There has been speculation of tension involving eldest son Brooklyn Beckham (left) and his wife Nicola Peltz (right) in recent months ( 
Image:
AFP via Getty Images)

TMZ however claimed two months ago that it was “all water under the bridge”. The outlet reported that sources said the issue was over Brooklyn and his wife Nicola questioning whether Kim had “the right intentions” for dating Romeo.

More recently, Nicola has been blamed for the rumoured tension by some people amid the speculation about the family, though she’s also been defended by others, with a source previously telling the Mirror that she “encourages” her husband Brooklyn to see his family. There’s said to be “distance” between Brooklyn and his parents.

 

Kaye Adams has spoken for the first time after it was announced ITV are planning a major shake-up to their schedules, meaning Loose Women won’t air all year round

Kaye Adams has opened up about the dramatic Loose Women shake-up(Image: ITV)

Kaye Adams had “sleepless nights” after hearing Loose Women is being cut by ITV. It was announced last month that the network had planned a major shake-up.

Some of the network’s biggest programmes, including Loose, Good Morning Britain, and Lorraine, will be affected, while This Morning remains untouched. While Lorraine and Loose currently air all year round, they will now be cut and broadcast for just 30 weeks.

Lorraine has suffered another blow, with her show being cut by half an hour while Good Morning Britain is extended. Now, Kaye has revealed that the dramatic news came “out of the blue” for her in a bombshell admission.

The 62-year-old also admits she has no idea what will happen with her job or her fellow panellists in the wake of the dramatic cuts. “To be perfectly honest, we have no idea at this point, what’s going to happen,” Kaye said. She went on to reveal that she didn’t “anticipate” the news.

Kaye suffered sleepless nights following the news(Image: ITV)

Speaking on her How To Be 60 podcast with Karen MacKenzie, Kay continued: “I didn’t anticipate it, which is probably stupid in retrospect, you get into a sort of rhythm of life. I had a couple of sleepless nights, I have to say, because it’s just like the rug’s been pulled from under your feet – what has been familiar.

“It’s going to have an impact. Lots of people will lose their jobs completely which is terrible, it’s a huge change.” But despite the shake-up, the broadcaster is trying to remain positive. She explained that it would allow her to “make some changes.” Currently, Kaye travels to London from Glasgow on a regular basis and often takes the sleeper train.

She went on to add: “But I gave myself a talking to and I listened to my own advice for once – change is hard, but it can be good. The past is a trap, don’t fear the future – I’m telling myself all these things. And I think maybe this is the nudge that I needed to make some changes in my life and I’ll just have to go with it.”

Prior to the news, Kaye revealed she had been planning on downsizing and moving into a smaller home, but now jokes that she may find herself in a one-bedroom flat. “And now I’ve lost my job, I might be in a one-bedroom flat somewhere,” she commented.

Fellow Loose panellist Nadia admitted she had no idea about her future on the show(Image: ITV)

Kaye, however, isn’t the first Loose panellist to open up about the cuts. Actress Nadia Sawalha, who has appeared on the show since its launch in 1999, recently admitted she is self-employed so could be “let go tomorrow.” Some of the panellists work on a freelance basis, while others are on a PAYE contract with the network.

Speaking to her husband Mark Adderley on their joint YouTube page, the former EastEnders star said: “Do you know what, at the moment, all of us on screen are in work and are proud of what we do.

“But behind the scenes, there are people that are really suffering, and what you don’t realise is when you attack the show, you attack them, because you never see all the army of people behind the scenes and how hard they work.” Nadia became visibly emotional as she struggled to contain her upset.

While holding back tears, she said: “So to all my friends and colleagues behind the scenes who have just got a huge shock out of the blue, I’m so sorry.” She added that she “just can’t bear it,” and urged people to “be f***ing kind to people.” She explained that due to being self-employed, she risks being let go “tomorrow” or “in five years.”

She became tearful as she explained that dozens of people will be “made redundant out of the blue” and has seen people walking around “numb with shock.”

Gemma Collins has shared an update on Instagram to reveal that she has been diagnosed with pneumonia after being ill for three weeks now and is being treated at home

Reality TV legend Gemma Collins has disclosed that she’s been battling pneumonia. The 44 year old former TOWIE star took to Instagram on Wednesday to share an update about her health, revealing that she’s been unwell for the past three weeks.

In her post, she wrote to her loyal followers: “Hey guys sorry been quiet i have Pneumonia. I’m not as fast or on it as I usually am on the daily. I am still honouring my work commitments which is taking every bit of energy I have but will be back entertaining you all soon.”

Gemma also shared a further update on her Instagram Story, showing that she was receiving treatment via a drip and had been seen by a doctor.

Gemma Collins is suffering from pneumonia ( 
Image:
gemmacollins/Instagram)
Pneumonia is an inflammation of the lungs typically caused by an infection. While most people recover within two to four weeks, infants, the elderly, and those with heart or lung conditions are at a higher risk of severe illness and may require hospitalisation.

Fans and famous friends rushed to wish Gemma well in the comment section underneath the ill star’s update. “You giving us all so much energy and good vibes! Get your rest! Wouldn’t want anything to happen to you,” X Factor legends Jedward told their close pal.

Speaking in April, Gemma explained how her recent weight-loss had helped improve her health. Gemma revealed to The Mirror that since beginning diabetes medication Mounjaro, that some people use as a weightloss aid, she feels a renewed sense of self-assurance, even going as far as to say she’s “saving the NHS” with her slimmer figure.

Gemma is doing her best to get fighting fit again ( 
Image:
gemmacollins/Instagram)

The reality TV star has been flooded with supportive comments from fans ( 
Image:
gemmacollins/Instagram)
“I’ve lost so much weight, you wouldn’t believe it,” she expressed. She reflected on her transformation, remarking, “It’s just a shame I had to wait until I was 44 for this life-changing drug to come out because being overweight isn’t good for your health, and it’s just so lovely now that I have been able to live like a normal person.

“There’s no food noise anymore. I feel so much better and free as a person to concentrate on other stuff because I’m not constantly thinking about food.”

The term ‘food noise’ encapsulates the relentless, distracting thoughts about eating that plague some individuals – contemplating what, when, and how much to eat, as well as battling cravings. These aren’t simple pangs of hunger but rather intrusive thought patterns that can dominate one’s day, sapping concentration, vitality, and serenity.

Gemma went on to acknowledge the transformative impact of the weight loss medication, confessing: “All of my clothes are too big now, that’s the problem, I’m wearing everything oversized,” remarked the reality TV sensation from Romford.

“As the weather gets warmer, I am just gonna start being able to wear tighter stuff and things like that, but I’m not quite there yet. I’ll put some pyjamas on and a nightie, and I’m like, ‘God, these are massive’. I can’t believe they used to fit me and now they’re hanging off.”

EastEnders won’t be in it’s usual Monday – Friday slot next week due to schedule changes on the BBC, but it’s not the only major change the soap will see

EastEnders undergoes a huge change on the week of Kat and Alfie’s wedding(Image: BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron)

If you’re planning to sit down for your daily dose of EastEnders next Monday (June 9), you may have to think again. The soap will be undergoing a schedule shake up next week.

The BBC soap usually airs from Monday to Thursday at 7:30pm. Eager fans who can’t wait until the evening have the option to watch the drama unfold from 6am on BBC iPlayer.

However, next week the show will be airing on Tuesday – Friday due to the 2026 World Cup qualifier between Belgium and Wales, live from Brussels.

Coverage will begin at 7:30 straight after The One Show, and will finish at 10pm just in time for the BBC News at 10. The first trip to Albert Square next week will be available to watch on iPlayer from 6am on Tuesday June 10.

It’s not the only huge change for the soap. Next Friday (June 13) will be executive producer Chris Clenshaw’s last episode before Ben Wadey takes over.

Chris Clenshaw’s last episode will air next Friday(Image: PA)

Last October, it was announced that Chris Clenshaw had made the decision to step down as Executive Producer in February 2025 once the soap has celebrated its 40th anniversary.

It will be a memorable final episode for Chris, as Kat and Alfie prepare the knot once again. But will third time really be the charm for one of Walford’s favourite couples?

Chris returned to EastEnders taking on the role as Executive Producer in January 2022. During his time as producer, Chris created many bold and storylines that will go down in the show’s history, including The Six flashforward whodunit, and the return of Cindy Beale.

Chris created a number of memorable storylines during his time in charge including The Six last Christmas (Image: BBC)

He also brought back favourites including Jacqueline Jossa, Shane Richie, Angela Wynter and Patsy Palmer. Speaking of his decision to leave, Chris Clenshaw said: “As a proud EastEnders fan, it has been the honour of my life to be its custodian.

It has meant everything to me, and I’ve given Walford my all. I made the tough decision that I would step down after the 40th anniversary many months ago – to keep EastEnders creatively refreshed as it’s a show that needs to constantly evolve. After what will be three years at the helm and leading the team through its milestone celebrations, the time feels right that I hand over the keys to The Queen Vic.

“Elstree holds a special place in my heart, and I know when the day comes, it’ll be hard to tear myself away. My special thanks go to the sensational EastEnders cast and crew that I’m incredibly proud to have led over the past few years, and who have provided me with unwavering support. Their commitment, passion and talent has inspired me every day, and I am so grateful to them and proud of everything that we’ve achieved together.

Fellow Boltonians Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuinness have signed up together for the new series of Celebrity Gogglebox, which kicks off on Friday

They may be radio hosts now but the pair have presented many hours of TV over the years(Image: Rachel Joseph / Channel 4)

Two Radio 2 stars are teaming up for the first time to appear on Celebrity Gogglebox – and have promised to have “no filter” when it comes to sharing their opinions.

Fellow Boltonians Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuinness, both 51, will be sitting alongside each other when the show returns to Channel 4 on Friday.

It’s a good job Strictly Come Dancing isn’t on, or Vernon might find himself having to comment on his TV presenter wife Tess Daly(Image: Rachel Joseph / Channel 4)

Paddy agreed that he was delighted to take part in a series he’d been watching for years. ”I’m delighted to be doing Celebrity Gogglebox with Vernon. I’ve been on there enough times behind the camera, finally I get a chance to talk about other shows. I’ve been a fan of Gogglebox for ages, so to be part of it with a fellow Boltonian is belting. As you’d expect with Vernon and myself it’ll be full of cultured, intellectual chat. Let the armchair punditry commence!”

The pair have plenty in common – not only are they the same age, from the same place, and work for the same radio station, they have both taken on huge sporting challenges for Children in Need in recent years.

In 2023 Vernon raised more than £6million with his ultra ultra marathon while last year Paddy pulled in more than £10million by cycling 300 miles on a Raleigh Chopper.

Spandau star Martin Kemp and his son Roman will be back along with many other of the regulars(Image: Channel 4)

And when it comes to TV they really should know what they’re talking about – Paddy’s former shows include Top Gear, A Question of Sport and Take Me Out – plus Peter Kay comedy Phoenix Nights – while Vernon fronted All Star Family Fortunes, Splash and T4.

Many of the regulars will be back for Celebrity Gogglebox including Rylan Clark and his mum Linda, Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan, Gok Wan and Fearne Cotton, Gyles Brandreth and Lulu, Nick and Liv Grimshaw, Clare Balding and Alice Arnold, Mo Gilligan and Babatunde Aleshe and Martin and Roman Kemp. Also new for this series are Inbetweeners star James Buckley and his wife Clair.

The 37-year-old actor, best known for portraying Jay Cartwright in the hit sitcom, announced this weekend that he and his wife of 13 years were joining the show. In a video he quipped: “We are joining the Gogglebox family. We’re going to be watching some great TV and some not so great TV.”

James and Clair, who met on social media and have two children together, have already won fans over with their podcast, At Home With The Buckleys, which looks at “the wild ride that is modern marriage, parenting and adulting”’.

Shona McGarty quit her role as Whitney Dean last April after 16 years on the soap, and is now getting ready to star in a new West End production

Former EastEnders favourite Shona McGarty is stepping into a new chapter of her career, and says the late Dame Barbara Windsor would have been behind her every step of the way. During an appearance on Lorraine this morning (June 4), Shona spoke about her upcoming role in Bettie Page, Queen of Pin-Ups – The Musical.

Ranvir Singh pointed out the striking similarities between Barbara’s glamorous EastEnders character and Shona’s new part, saying: “It’s funny, of course, we think of Babs, and we think of the role you’re about to play now. There are some similarities there – of being the pin-up, being brave, owning your sexuality.”

Shona admitted that the legendary actress had always been one of her biggest supporters, adding: “I know that Barbara Windsor would have been so proud of me taking on this role. She always said to me, because I’m short and I’m curvy, she always said I should do burlesque. So I know she’d be proud.”

Shona McGarty thinks late Dame Barbara Windsor would have been proud of her new West End role(Image: ITV)

In Shona’s upcoming West End venture she will play American model Bettie Page in a new biography-musical that audiences can come see from June 9.

The show will run for one night only at London’s Lyric Theatre and promises to delve into the life of the 1950s icon, through the medium of original songs and hits from the 50s and 60s. It will explore Bettie’s rise to fame and her impact on pop culture and feminism.

Shona is best known for playing Whitney Dean in EastEnders ever since she joined the soap at the age of 16. She left the BBC series in April last year after 16 years on set.

The EastEnders actress shared that Barbara Windsor previously encouraged her to do burlesque(Image: BBC)

This marked the end of an era where Whitney faced many emotional storylines, tackling serious issues like grooming, domestic abuse, and pregnancy loss. Shona was praised for her sensitive portrayal of the character throughout these hard-hitting topics.

Since leaving Albert Square, Shona has kept herself busy exploring other avenues of entertainment. She has spent time in the recording studio, performed live music, and even presented an award at the Beauty Awards in November. Some of the singles she has released include A Change is Gonna Come, Rock with Rudolph, and Let It Be.

After her soap exit, Shona told The Sun that it was difficult to leave EastEnders, but she felt like it was the right decision. The actress shared: “It was a really difficult decision because it’s all I’ve ever known. I pretty much grew up on the Square, so I feel like I’m leaving home.

“But I had to put on my big girl pants and be quite brave, because life is so short, and you feel that more and more as you get older. There are other opportunities and areas of the industry I want to explore before I get too old! All things come to an end and this is the new chapter of my life.”