Fans of Channel 4's Gogglebox have expressed frustration after the popular Siddiqui family were absent from recent episodes. The family, consisting of father Sid and his sons Baasit, Umar, and Raza, have been a staple of the show since its first series in 2013.
While viewers are accustomed to seeing the four men on screen, they will never see matriarch Nasreen. In an interview with the Daily Mail, Nasreen explained her decision to stay off camera, citing language barriers and shyness. She said: "It's not something for me, I don't speak very good English and I'm very shy. It's best left to the boys. You won't get me on the TV."
The Siddiqui family, who live in Derby, have become fan favourites for their humorous commentary on television highlights. Despite Nasreen's absence from the show, the family has shared photos of her on social media, including snaps from a holiday to Morocco last year.
The family's journey onto Gogglebox began with an unusual audition process. Umar recalled to Radio Times: "We did a bit of an audition, where people came round with a camera and some flash cards – images of Boris Johnson, Simon Cowell. And they said, 'Right, just say the first thing that comes into your mind'. Whatever dynamic we had seemed to suit the show, because they asked us if we wanted to be part of it."
