Undoubtedly one of the most popular Friday night programmes, Gogglebox has established a huge fanbase since it first hit our screens nine years ago. Although the concept of watching people watch television on your television sounds wacky, households up and down the country tune in for each series and have become fans of the families, couples and friends featured on the show.
The lighthearted programme has proved so popular that spin-off series have been established from it. Gogglesprogs (watching children watch television), Vlogglebox (watching teenagers watch YouTubers), and Celebrity Gogglebox have all attracted scores of viewers.
Gogglebox, in its original form, has birthed celebrities in its own right too, WiltshireLive reports. Giles Wood and Mary Killen, who are based not too far from Bristol, in Wiltshire, have garnered a cult following since they first appeared on the show in 2015.
Viewers are left delighted whenever the witty married couple, who endearingly call each other 'nutty', appear on their screens from their 'Grottage'. Mary, who is a successful author and Spectator columnist, has often joked about Giles' work ethic on the show, claiming that he 'hasn't worked' and retired when he was 21 years old.
The flame between the pair ignited when they met in their younger years; Mary was working as a model, whilst Giles was a 21-year-old student at Wimbledon Art School. Giles now contributes to magazine The Oldie, but his main source of income has remained something of a mystery for some time.
But now, all has been revealed. It appears that Giles makes his money by selling his highly-sought artworks online.
Art fans who have snapped up Giles' artwork in the past include novelist Robert Harris, Erskine Guinness (of the beverage family), businessman Sir Henry Keswick, insurance magnate Robert Hiscox, and Private Eye co-founder Richard Ingrams. Giles' appearance on Gogglebox alongside Mary has proved good for business, with 'popular demand' leading him 'away from his trademark landscapes to specialise in interiors', according to his website.
For £250, fans of Giles and those who appreciate his artwork can get their hands on a framed high quality limited edition print. For each artwork, ten prints are produced.
The original oil paintings are also up for grabs, and sell for up to £1,000 each. This means that, overall, Giles has the potential to make over £3,000 from each work he produces.
Giles says on his website that he always works in oils 'as they give more depth'. About his art, he said: "I like the contemplative aspect, sitting for several days in a room, watching the light change."
Although Giles may do all the painting, his artwork venture is a couple effort. Mary handles all of the sales, which could, arguably, be for the best, if Giles' onscreen scatterbrained persona is anything to go by.
It is not known what Giles and Mary spend their money on, but it appears that renovating their home is not at the top of their to-do list. In an interview with the Telegraph, they revealed the extent of the work needed on their 'Grottage', as they call their Wiltshire home.
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They may enviably live in a very nice corner of the country, but Giles and Mary have confessed that their home lacks central heating. Also, bubblewrap is used in place of double glazing for some of their windows.
In one of Mary's Spectator columns, she credited Gogglebox for saving her marriage. Prior to the couple joining the show, Mary admitted that the couple were like 'ships that pass in the night', seldom spending time together.
Their appearance on Gogglebox came about after Giles was invited to take part by a friend who worked on the production team. He was initially due to star on the show with one of his daughters, but she pulled out.
Following a long conversation with the show's bosses, Mary was convinced to appear alongside Giles. Writing in The Spectator, Mary said: "Sitting down and watching television reminded us how much we enjoyed the same jokes,
“The public's reaction is entirely benign. People approach me, their faces wreathed in smiles. ‘You’re Mary from Gogglebox, aren’t you? I just want to say – your husband makes us laugh.”
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