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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Entertainment
Kate Lally

Gogglebox stars' real jobs from pub landlady to lorry driver

Gogglebox has quickly become one of the nation's favourite shows, with millions of us eagerly waiting to tune in on Friday nights.

Since it first aired in 2013, Gogglebox has amassed a loyal following, making stars of many of the show's cast members. An interesting but simple premise, the series introduced viewers to a range of friends and families who offer their opinions on the week's TV.

Now in its 21st series, we all have our favourite families, those who make us crack up laughing - or even shed a tear.

READ MORE: Gogglebox's Daniel Lustig-Webb shares rare snap of 'twin' mum

And away from the cameras many of the show's participants have a regular day job. Here's a look at what each of the cast do when they're not entertaining the nation from their sofas.

Jenny and Lee

Jenny and Lee are a firm favourite with Gogglebox fans (Channel 4)

Who else to start the list but fan favourites, caravan-dwelling best mates, Jenny and Lee? The mates from Hull met when Jenny was a pub landlady at The Crown Inn in East Riding.

While she's left pint-pulling behind her now, it's not known what Lee does, although he did used to frequent the pub. Jenny previously told Ireland’s Big Issue Magazine: "Lee was a customer at my pub, The Crown Inn in Paull.

"He became a regular in 1994 and used to come in pretty much every night with his partner and we were friends from the off."

The Malones

The Malones on Gogglebox (Channel 4)

One of Gogglebox's biggest families, the Malones are known for their blunt analysis, array of often untouched cakes and sofa-dwelling dogs. Dad Tom Sr is a lorry driver, and mum Julie is a receptionist.

Shaun works as a football coach, while Tom Jr has gone on to star in shows such as Celebrity Coach Trip and The Real Dirty Dancing since leaving Gogglebox. Their sister Vanessa, who joined the show more recently, works as a critical care nurse.

Ellie and Izzi

Leeds sisters Ellie and Izzi joined in series six, and have since become favourites for their unapologetic and often cutting sense of humour. Ellie works as a hairdresser, and often has wild hair colours herself.

Izzi recently started her own business, after seven years of working in the mortgage business. The 27-year-old helps people get their foot on the ladder in the property market with Izzi Warner Mortgages.

After she set up a new Instagram account for the business, it quickly amassed thousands of followers.

Roisin and Joe

Roisin and Joe on Gogglebox (Channel4/Studio Lambert/PA Wire)

Roisin and Joe joined Gogglebox earlier this year, after the Gogglebox production team announced they were on the lookout for new Scots to take part. Producers said they'd received complaints about the lack of Scottish representation on the programme.

Glasgow-based couple Roisin and Joe made their debut in March 2022. According to reports, Joe is 26 and Roisin is 24.

They have been together for four years and live at Joe’s family home in Glasgow, having moved in together at the beginning of lockdown.

While little is known about Joe's career, the Mirror reports that Roisin works full time at BBC Scotland as a Social Media Producer according to her LinkedIn profile. She also hosts a weekly podcast called The Love/Hate Club with Cassi Gillespie.

Pete and Sophie

Brother and sister Pete and Sophie (CHANNEL 4)

Sophie worked as a window dresser in Debenhams before the covid pandemic hit. In December 2020, the star promised to "leave her job with a smile" as she was among thousands at risk of redundancy as the retailer faced liquidation.

More recently, she embarked on a course to train as a florist and has now opened her own business. She unveiled Petali Floristry on Instagram at the beginning of 2021.

Pete works in insurance.

Simon and Jane

Simon and Jane on Gogglebox (SimonMinty/Twitter)

Gogglebox brother and sister Simon and Jane were introduced last October, with the two filming the Channel 4 show from Simon's North London flat. Away from our screens, Simon works as a disability consultant an is also co-host of the BBC podcast Ouch!

Back in April, Jane revealed her job by posting a photo of her working away in a kitchen. In the snap she held out a plate of homemade cake towards the camera and captioned it: "Homemade cakes at work today …will try and save a piece for Simon to try!! Happy day at work."

David and Shirley

Shirley and Dave on Gogglebox (Instagram/Shirley and Dave/Gogglebox)

Caerphilly couple David and Shirley have been together now for over 40 years. The pair joined Gogglebox in 2015 and have had us in stitches ever since.

David has a job in a factory and Shirley works in retail. Until recently, not much details were known about Shirley's job - but an Instagram post last year showed the star in fancy dress.

Dave snapped a photo of Shirley posing in front of a charity shop window, dressed as a bee. Shirley donned a black wig, yellow and black dress and matching leg warmers.

Dave revealed Shirley's new look was part of a campaign celebrating books. He said: "Busy bee #Gogglebox Shirley #nationalbookmonth I'm bizy bizy doing nothing xx." [sic]

Abbie and Georgia

Abbie and Georgia on Gogglebox (Channel 4)

Abbie Lynn and Georgia Bell quickly became Gogglebox favourites having first appeared on our screens back in 2018. The young women, from Durham, often leave viewers in fits of laughter, and despite some mistaking them for sisters, the two are actually best friends.

Away from the Gogglebox cameras, Georgia works as a hairdresser, while Abbie works in finance. Abbie has worked as a credit control clerk since 2019.

The Plummers

The Plummers on Gogglebox (Channel 4)

Smiley Bristol brothers Tremaine, Twaine and Tristan joined back in series eight, and are all sport-mad. Tristan plays football for Hereford FC, and the talent must run in the family.

Brother Twaine plays for Bradford town. Twaine also presents a breakfast radio show, while Tremaine is a chef.

Daniel and Stephen

Stephen and Daniel on Gogglebox (Channel 4)

Hairdresser Daniel first appeared on Gogglebox alongside ex partner Chris. After their split, he was briefly joined by his mum, and now by husband Daniel, who also works as a hairdresser.

The couple own a salon in Hurstpierpoint, a village 15 miles outside of their home city of Brighton. According to its Instagram page, the salon "specialises in custom made colours and precision cutting".

Giles and Mary

Gogglebox's Mary and Giles (ITV)

Wiltshire couple Giles and Mary are renowned for their posh quips. While Giles indulges his creative side as an artist, Mary has crafted an impressive journalistic career.

She writes an "agony" column for The Spectator, and has also written for Tatler and other publications. Mary has also had a number of books published - including one titled "A Guide to Modern Manners".

The Siddiquis

The Siddiqui family have proved incredibly popular with Gogglebox fans. (Channel 4)

The Siddiquis - Baasit, Umar and Sid - are Gogglebox staples. Dad Sid was an engineer before retiring, while Umar works as an IT technician.

Baasit, meanwhile, is an IT teacher, so clearly computers run in the family.

Gogglebox airs Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4

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