Gogglebox Legend's Emotional First Dates Appearance Reveals Divorce Heartbreak
In a poignant television moment, former Gogglebox star Daniel Lustig Webb has made a heartbreaking confession about his split from co-star husband Stephen Webb during an appearance on Channel 4's popular dating programme First Dates.
From Gogglebox Favourites to Separate Lives
Daniel Lustig Webb originally joined the beloved Channel 4 show Gogglebox in 2019 alongside his then-husband Stephen Webb. The couple quickly became audience favourites, charming viewers with their hilarious one-liners and comical commentary on television highlights. Their chemistry and witty observations made them standout personalities on the programme.
However, in 2023, the pair announced their departure from Gogglebox, leaving fans disappointed. At that time, Daniel described their experience as "an absolute ride and an absolute pleasure" to be featured among the show's families.
The Painful Split and Continued Co-habitation
Less than a year after leaving Gogglebox, Daniel and Stephen revealed they were divorcing after being together for twelve years. Despite their separation, the couple continued sharing their Brighton home, creating an unusual living situation that Daniel addressed during his First Dates appearance.
"It is difficult, because we still live together," Daniel confessed to his date Simon, who appeared stunned by the revelation. Daniel clarified their arrangement: "But we're not sharing a bed. He's in the other room, I'm in this room. Eventually we will sell our place and move on."
Searching for New Love After Marriage
During his First Dates restaurant arrival, Daniel shared his motivation for joining the programme, stating he was there to "find the love of my life." He revealed he had been single for approximately ten months and experienced what he described as a "dating frenzy" during the summer, going on about seventeen dates in just one month.
When asked about his ideal partner, Daniel humorously responded: "I'm looking for someone fit, healthy and with hair!" His date, dad-of-two Simon, initially recognised Daniel but couldn't immediately place him until Daniel explained his television background.
Raw Emotional Impact of the Divorce
Speaking candidly to the First Dates production team, Daniel opened up about the profound emotional impact of his separation from Stephen. "When you break up with someone, especially if you've been married and you've given your heart to it, it's upsetting. And it was upsetting," he shared emotionally.
Daniel described experiencing a significant grieving period following the split: "I definitely felt like I was grieving for a good six months. It was very hard to get over it. If you're going to get married, you think you're going to be together forever. Your heart is stuck on that. So, when you separate, it's very hard to get out of that funk."
Date Outcome and Moving Forward
At the conclusion of his First Dates experience, both Daniel and Simon agreed they hadn't felt a romantic connection between them. Simon explained: "I didn't feel any flirting between us," with Daniel concurring: "I felt like that too."
Despite the lack of romantic spark with his First Dates match, Daniel's appearance marked a significant step in his post-divorce journey, demonstrating his willingness to put himself back into the dating world while openly addressing the emotional challenges of his separation.
Gogglebox continues to air every Friday at 9pm on Channel 4, while First Dates remains a popular fixture in the channel's programming schedule, bringing together singles from diverse backgrounds in search of romantic connections.
