Ex-Spice Girl Mel B appeared on a tear-jerking Celebrity Gogglebox tonight (October 28) as she paid tribute to her “big, strong, beautiful” dad who died of cancer. She remembered her father Martin Brown, who died five years ago, for a special episode of the show which aired as part of Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK’s Stand Up To Cancer campaign.
Mel said: “Cancer touches so many people’s lives. My big, strong, beautiful dad was just 63 when he died after a long battle with multiple myeloma cancer.
“I miss him every single day. He loved to watch telly and he loved to laugh, so I’m doing this for him and for everyone else out there who has lost someone to cancer.”
Mel B was joined on the sofa by comedian Ruby Wax, who lost her “best friend and mentor” Alan Rickman to pancreatic cancer in 2016. Ruby said she “thinks of him every day”.
Other celebrities on the hit programme tonight were Olympic gold medallist Tom Daley and his husband Dustin Lance Black, TV chef Gordon Ramsay and his daughter Strictly contestant Tilly, and singer Charlotte Church and actor Luke Evans. We also got to see Gogglebox regulars such as Jenny and Lee, Pete and Sophie, Marcus and Mica, and the Siddiquis.
While raising money for Stand Up To Cancer, the armchair critics watched hard-hitting films about young people Dylan-James and Emily, who died of cancer - leaving many viewers incredibly emotional.
Commenting on Twitter, @adinho85 said: "Gogglebox has done me in." @Mickeye6 added: "Gogglebox is heartbreaking tonight! My eyes hurt!"
The Goggleboxers also gave their verdict on some of the week's biggest TV moments, including broadcasts of Rishi Sunak becoming the UK’s new Prime Minister. The Siddiquis remarked that “history has been made" - Mr Sunak is Britain's first Asian prime minister.
Tom and Dustin made people chuckle. Tom revealed he auditioned for S Club 8 (originally called S Club Juniors), a spin-off of pop group S Club 7.
“What did you sing?” Dustin asked. “I sang Reach for the Stars,” top swimmer Tom replied as the keen knitter stitched away.
“Let’s hear it,” Dustin teased. With an aghast expression, Tom quickly answered: “Absolutely not!”
Meanwhile, Gordon asked Tilly if she had a boyfriend. She giggled and looked somewhat embarrassed - leaving a chuffed Gordon to jump up and dance around exclaiming: "Yes! She's got a boyfriend!"
Gogglebox fans loved all the banter. Twitter user @hare_tasks said: “I love Gogglebox so much.” @davearc07613733 commented: “Love Gogglebox and Celebrity Googlebox but if you’re going to mix the two, make it an hour and a half!”
