Gogglebox star Giles Wood managed to “retire” at a young age thanks to a lucrative job as a painter, his wife Mary Killen has revealed. The couple, who first appeared on the Channel 4 show in 2015, are known for their dry, sarcastic commentary.
Mary, an agony aunt for the Spectator and author of several books including 2012's How the Queen Can Make You Happy, once appeared in a 1970s Heinz Soup advertising campaign. Together, the couple have two grown-up daughters who prefer to remain out of the public eye.
How Giles retired at 21
The couple met in their early 20s when Mary was modelling and Giles was studying at Wimbledon Art School. While watching a documentary on coronavirus on the show, Giles said: “Just as I'm starting to enjoy my retirement.”
Mary replied: “What retirement? You haven't worked first. You retired at 21, so now you can start working – do it in reverse.”
Giles's painting career
Giles's personal website reveals he is a skilled painter, with prints selling for £250 and larger pieces fetching up to £750. He enjoys painting the clutter of people's lives, and popular demand has recently led him away from his trademark landscapes to specialise in interiors.
On the site, Giles said: “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. 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.”
His artwork includes paintings of homes and landscapes, with some framed prints selling for hundreds. Giles's work can be viewed on his website.
