While Gogglebox has turned ordinary viewers into household names, it turns out some of the show's stars were already connected to showbiz royalty. The popular Channel 4 series, which launched in 2013, features families and friends reacting to the week's television from their living rooms. Beyond the celebrity editions, several regular cast members have surprising and famous family ties that have left fans astonished.
The Chuckle Connection: Sophie and Pete Sandiford's TV Legend Uncle
Blackpool siblings Sophie and Pete Sandiford, who joined Gogglebox in 2017 for its tenth series, are firm fan favourites. However, many viewers were recently left gobsmacked to discover their direct link to British television history. The duo's uncle is none other than children's TV icon Paul Chuckle, from the legendary BBC duo the Chuckle Brothers.
Paul Chuckle, 78, whose real name is Paul Elliott, starred alongside his late brother Barry in ChuckleVision from 1987 to 2009. He recently took to Instagram to share a throwback photo with his "grand niece" Sophie, wishing her a happy 30th birthday. The post prompted a flood of surprised reactions from Gogglebox fans, with many commenting they had no idea about the family connection.
Cousins in High Fashion: Sandi Bogle and Supermodel Naomi Campbell
Original Gogglebox cast member Sandi Bogle, who appeared on the show from its 2013 launch until 2016, has a globally famous cousin. During her stint on Celebrity Big Brother in 2017, Sandi revealed that supermodel Naomi Campbell is her cousin. She explained that their mothers are related.
In a 2023 interview with The Sun, Sandi elaborated on their ongoing family relationship. "I am Naomi’s first cousin and yes we do talk to her and see each other," she stated. She confirmed they get together for family celebrations and that she has even met Naomi's daughter, emphasising that despite their different public profiles, "it’s a family thing."
Survival Expert Siblings: Lara Fawcett and Brother Bear Grylls
The latest season of Gogglebox, which returned in September, introduced new faces Lara and her mother-in-law Sara. The duo quickly became a hit with viewers, who were soon intrigued to learn about Lara's very famous brother. Lara is the older sister of survival expert and TV star Bear Grylls.
Bear Grylls, real name Edward Grylls, is the former SAS trooper renowned for shows like Man vs. Wild. Interestingly, it was reportedly Lara who gave him the nickname 'Bear' when he was young. Their father was the late Conservative MP Sir William Grylls, who served from 1970 to 1997.
These revelations prove that even on a show celebrating everyday reactions, the connections to the glittering world of celebrity can be closer than the sofa. Gogglebox continues to air every Friday at 9pm on Channel 4, offering more potential for surprising family trees to come to light.
