Giles Wood and Mary Killen are fairly private when it comes to their lives away from their living room TV. The Gogglebox stars, who joined the Channel 4 show in 2015, have shared the odd throwback snap but other details have been kept under wraps.
So fans may be pleased to discover some little-known information about Giles' roots in North Staffordshire and the artwork from which he has made a living. Giles is a skilled painter who enjoys creating pictures which depict “the clutter of peoples’ lives”.
His family is related to master potter Samuel Wood and his father ran S A Wood & Sons, manufacturing fireplaces in Hanley.
Born in Stoke-on-Trent, Giles' family moved to Keele when he was young. But he would often visit his father’s factory in Hanley.
After leaving to study at Wimbledon Art School, Giles met model Mary when he was 21. And he made a living with his artwork.
When he's not discussing the week's telly, Giles can often be found with a paintbrush in hand. He even has his own artist website, where he explains what his influences are.
“I like the contemplative aspect — sitting for several days in a room, watching the light change. There are as many changes as with a landscape," he said.
"I always work in oils as they give more depth. The finished painting should offer an insight into the painter as well as the subject.”
Aside from his work as an artist, Giles “retired at 21” according to Mary on a previous episode of the show. The pair were watching a documentary on Covid-19 when Giles said: “Just as I'm starting to enjoy my retirement.”
Mary answered: “What retirement? You haven't worked first. You retired at 21, so now you can start working – do it in reverse.”
Giles also contributes to online magazine The Oldie. Mary, meanwhile has written a number of books, including 2012's 'How the Queen Can Make You Happy'.
Giles might have to use some of his art money to fix up their Wiltshire cottage, which has been dubbed 'The Grottage'. The couple have admitted their home needed urgent fixing-up in the past.
Speaking to The Telegraph, the couple said the paint had started peeling from their ceilings and they were once forced to create makeshift double glazing with bubble wrap. At the time, they also revealed the house had no central heating and their kitchen was full of mould.
