Channel 4 hit show Gogglebox has been a staple on our screens since 2013 and sees much-loved faces speaking about the week’s biggest TV moments
The Gogglebox cast have become well-known faces ever since the show first kicked off back in 2013. Viewers get ready each week to watch the reactions of their favourite sofa-sitters as they give their opinions on the week’s biggest TV moments.
Some of those that grace our screens each week have been there ever since the show began more than a decade ago. However it hasn’t been smooth sailing for all of the families.
They have been open about ups and downs in their lives over this time and this has included health struggles. Here’s a look at the iconic TV critics’ health worries over the years.
READ MORE: Gogglebox confirms legend’s show future after more than 10 years as fans left concernedREAD MORE: Gogglebox sparks fury as fans issue same demand minutes into show
Tremaine’s cancer diagnosis
Tremaine Plummer who joined Gogglebox in 2016 alongside his brothers celebrated five years cancer-free after suffering from bowel cancer in 2020.
He shared a photo of himself where he was in a hospital bed during his treatment as well as sharing a caption where he admitted he used to hate the picture.
He said: “When I first saw this photo it made me feel sick and weak. I hated this photo for a long time. But now this photo is my medal. This was me 5 years ago. Post surgery for bowel cancer.”
“One of the worst things that could have happened to me has turned into one of the best. Not everything bad that happens to you is the end. Out of some bad s*** comes good s***. The entire experience has been an eye opener and I view life totally different now. Stay strong,” Tremaine added.
Sue’s Bell’s Palsy
Sue Sheehan opened up in 2024 about how she had been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. Bell’s Palsy is a condition that causes temporary facial paralysis or weakness and usually affects one side of the face due to inflammation of the facial nerve.
This means that Sue struggled with being able to speak during this time. She joined the programme in 2019 with her husband Steve.
Sue explained: “I mean, I’ve had to relearn to do a couple of things since this Bell’s palsy. One is to speak through the side of my mouth, and the other one is chewing. Chewing takes a long time.”
Pete’s sudden cancer death
Pete McGarry died from bowel cancer in 2021. He was one of the original stars as he joined Gogglebox in 2013 with wife Linda.
At the time, Linda said Pete was told he had six months to live but died just a few days later. Linda told The Sun: “Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years. I said to him, ‘We’ve not only been 25 years, it’s been day and night with each other.’ He was my life.”
READ MORE: Shoppers say hair loss ‘significantly reduced’ with discounted shampoo set
Mary’s near-death experience
Mary Killen and Giles Wood have been on Gogglebox since 2015 and are fan favourites. However, Mary has a near death experience before her TV fame.
Speaking to The Guardian, Mary explained: “The closest I’ve come to death was contracting Legionnaires’ disease in 1999.”
She added: “I caught it from air conditioning in the Bahamas and developed something called Beau’s lines: white ridges across the fingernails which are a sign that your body’s shutting down for death.” She then said she’s never been quite the same since.
Jenny’s painful condition
Jenny Newby and Lee Riley are arguably some of the favourites in Gogglebox history after first appearing in 2014. But it was in 2018 that Jenny spoke about struggling with arthritis.
Before an advert came on by charity Versus Arthritis, Jenny said: “I’ve got arthritis.” She explained: “I get more stressed now because I can’t fasten my coat. I can’t open a tin of beans and I’ve got to ask somebody. And that I think is the worst, when I have got to ask somebody because I feel like I am stupid.”
Jenny shared a press release afterwards when she said: “I’ve suffered with arthritis for a while now. I think something people don’t realise is the impact the condition has on simple everyday life. I really do think we should change that by being able to talk about it openly. It’s really important to me.”
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.