Gogglebox is saying goodbye to a cherished pair after Stephen Webb and his husband, Daniel Lustig, announced their departure from the Channel 4 show.
Sharing their news on social media, Stephen wrote: “We feel the time is right to move on and explore other opportunities. We would both like to thank Channel 4 and Studio Lambert for letting us be part of this amazing, funny and heartwarming show.”
He added: “We are extremely thankful to the cast and crew, or Gogglebox family as we call them, and of course the fans, thank you for all of your love & support over the years.”
Stephen has been on the show for the last 10 years. He first appeared on the Gogglebox couch alongside his former partner Chris, but he left in 2018 after the couple split up. Stephen was then joined by his mum Pat before the nation was introduced to Stephen’s husband, Daniel Lustig-Webb.
In a statement about the couple’s departure, Channel 4 said: “As one of the original Goggleboxers, Stephen has entertained the nation with his hilarious quips since the show first started in 2013, sharing his opinions on the best and biggest TV events of the last ten years.
“We would like to thank him and Daniel for being utterly brilliant contributors to the show, and we wish them well with their future projects.”
Stephen and Daniel aren’t the only pair to have walked away from the Channel 4 show in recent years. Let’s take a look at the other cast members who have quit.
Scarlett Moffat
Scarlett Moffat, one of the Moffat family, quit the show in 2016 and then went on to find further fame when she won I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here!.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 said at the time: “Scarlett Moffatt is going in to I’m a Celebrity and will no longer participate in this series of Gogglebox. The show’s producers have not had any conversations with Scarlett about leaving or returning to Gogglebox after her stint in the Jungle.
“The Moffatts have been excellent contributors to Gogglebox, and we are very grateful for all they have given to the show.”
Sandi and Sandra
Popular duo Sandi and Sandra announced their departure from the show in 2016. Part of the original cast, the pair explained that they wanted to move with the times and find new opportunities after more than four years on the show.
Speaking on This Morning, Sandra said: “I am going to miss it, but I decided at that time I wanted to move on to other things. It’s four and a half years now, and I’m just moving on, keeping up with the times.”
Steph and Dom
Posh couple Steph and Dom also decided to step away from the show in 2016. Speaking to the Sun about their decision, they admitted that it felt like the right time to move on.
“We think it’s important that everyone gets their chance to be on Gogglebox and give their opinion, and having been on it from the beginning we felt like we’d pretty much said all we needed to say, and we knew what we were going to say.”
The Tapper family
Josh Tapper decided to quit the show in 2018 when he landed a job in the Cabinet Office. His family also followed suit and left the show.
Speaking to the Mirror about it, Josh said: “I want to move away from that and the focus is now very much on my job. Of course, I miss it and sitting on the couch watching TV. But I am more focused on my future … it’s a more secure path. I don’t think any ministers recognise me but the civil servants do. It took them a while to mention it – a total of about two days!”
Tom Malone Jr
Tom, who usually appears alongside his mum, Julie, dad, Tom, and brother Shaun, quit the show in 2021. At the time he said he was open to more TV work, adding: “So after 6 and a half years it’s finally time to put down the remote, and to say goodbye to Gogglebox.
“I’ve loved every minute and I’m eternally grateful to Channel 4 and Studio Lambert for allowing me to be a part of the show. But new opportunities are knocking on the door and it’s time to explore them.”
Mica and Marcus
In December 2022, Mica and Marcus announced that they were leaving the show for new opportunities. Speaking to their fans, the couple said: “We’ve had so much fun with you all tuning in at home and the hardworking Gogglebox crews, but it’s time to put down the remote and see what else God has in store for us.”
A few months later, the duo confirmed that they would also be appearing on BBC’s Pointless.
George Gilbey
George landed a spot on CBB and then was informed he couldn’t return to Gogglebox. Speaking about their exit from the show, he said: “It is true that we won’t be on the next series of Gogglebox. We had a lovely time filming with them and wish the cast and crew lots of luck.”
His parents, Pete and Linda returned to the show without him before Pete died in 2021.
Paige Deville
Paige also quit Gogglebox in 2021 and took aim at producers for aftercare failures. She said at the time: “It’s been an experience but one I cannot continue with due to long hours of filming, restrictiveness, control of our actions and opinions and zero aftercare support. But hey, who cares about ex cast, their NTA winners[sic].”
