Gogglebox returned to Channel 4 on Friday, September 9 after a hiatus for the summer. Many of the cast regulars, including Welsh couple Dave and Shirley Griffiths, were back on screens for the new series.
The show went ahead despite many programmes being postponed due to the death of the Queen on Thursday, September 8. However, in a statement a Channel 4 spokesperson said: "Channel 4 has made significant changes to our schedule, including added extended news coverage, to ensure that Channel 4 is respectful following the news from Buckingham Palace about the death of Her Majesty The Queen.
"Channel 4 exists to offer viewers an alternative and that is particularly important at times like this. Gogglebox is a much loved national institution and it will air as planned tonight bringing a valuable sense of continuity for many of our viewers." You can read more on this here.
Read more: Gogglebox return cast and start date for new series
And while many were thrilled to have some light relief as the nation mourns the death of the longest-reigning monarch, some were left wondering why the Malone family were missing from the programme. The regulars did not feature in the first episode, leaving many fearing they'd quit the show.
"Where are The Malones?" asked one viewer. "Hope they haven’t left the show." While another wondered: "What's happened to the Malones #Gogglebox."
However, the family were quick to update followers, explaining they were on holiday. In a video shared on social media, Tom Malone revealed he, his wife Julie, and their children were not appearing in the first "few" episodes of Gogglebox's new series as they are in Florida.
Tom said: "Here we are on holiday, Jesus it doesn't feel like it with all of this lot, I can tell you that. But we are in Florida so we are not there for the first couple of shows."
Gogglebox continues Friday nights at 9pm on Channel 4. For more showbiz and television stories, get our newsletter here.
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