Celebrity Gogglebox viewers have expressed disappointment just minutes into the new series, with many complaining they do not recognise the new stars. The Channel 4 spin-off returned on Friday (June 5) with a mix of returning favourites and fresh faces.
Returning pairs include Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuinness, Nick Grimshaw and his niece Liv, and Denise Van Outen and Johnny Vaughan. New additions feature Olivia Attwood with her mother Jennifer, Gladiators stars Harry and Matt (Nitro and Legend), Strictly's George Clarke with content creator Max Balegde, and comedian Julian Clary alongside actor Nigel Havers.
On social media, viewers were quick to criticise. One wrote: 'God am I old? Watching Celebrity Gogglebox & don’t know half of the celebrities on it.' Another added: 'I’m so out of touch. Who are most of these ‘celebrities’?' A third said: 'Don’t know half of these celebrities.'
Some fans were more blunt, with one posting: 'F*** watching #CelebrityGogglebox whole minutes we lasted!! Series link removed.' Another commented: 'Bloody hell, this is extremely irritating with all these so-called celebs all trying too hard to be funny.' One viewer declared: 'Needs renaming- unfunny non-celeb Z-list hasbeens.'
Despite the backlash, new stars defended the show. Olivia Attwood said it 'was chaotic but in the best possible way', adding: 'It’s not often that we agree on things which I think the viewers may find entertaining.' George Clarke joked: 'I loved it, mainly because it gave me a full excuse to take the mick out of Max on national TV.' Nigel Havers added: 'It’s a dream come true working with Julian on Gogglebox.'
