Gogglebox's Pete and Sophie Sandiford: Their Lives Beyond the Screen
It is fair to say that the beloved Channel 4 series Gogglebox would not be the same without the hilarious sibling duo Pete and Sophie Sandiford. The pair, who hail from Blackpool, first joined the show in 2017 for its tenth series and quickly became firm favourites with viewers. Their witty banter, sharp one-liners, and comical takes on television highlights have kept audiences entertained for years. Now, as they return for a brand new series, fans are eager to learn more about their lives away from the cameras.
Day Jobs and Professional Pursuits
When they are not watching television for the show, Pete and Sophie are busy with their respective careers. Pete previously worked in the insurance sector before retraining as a roofer and establishing his own building business. Despite his fame from Gogglebox, he has made it clear that he has no plans to abandon his day job, once telling The Sun, “I have got to pay my mortgage somehow.”
Meanwhile, Sophie previously worked at the high street department store Debenhams. She was made redundant in 2021 when the chain collapsed and all its UK stores shut down. Undeterred, she trained as a florist and founded her own business, Petali Floristry, showcasing her entrepreneurial spirit.
Famous Family Connections
Comedy clearly runs in the Sandiford family, as Pete and Sophie's uncles are none other than Barry David Elliott and Paul Harman Elliott, better known as the legendary Chuckle Brothers. The family has often shared photographs together over the years, with Paul once posting a selfie with Pete and Sophie captioned, “This day, 2018, with my great niece and nephew.”
Sophie also paid a heartfelt tribute to her great uncle Barry following his passing in August 2018. She said, “A truly lovely and funny man to be around. You filled millions of childhoods with laughter and entertainment, including mine and Peter's. You will be sadly missed by many. Rest in peace, Uncle Barry.”
Secret Siblings and Family Life
Despite their close on-screen bond, many fans may be surprised to learn that Pete and Sophie are not each other's only siblings. They actually have another brother and sister named Lucy and Harry, who prefer to stay out of the public eye. Sophie occasionally shares photos with all her siblings on Instagram, including one posted on National Siblings Day captioned “The fam.” Pete has also shared snaps of them enjoying nights out together.
Acting Past and Television Beginnings
Gogglebox is not the first time Pete and Sophie have appeared on television. In fact, they were scouted for the show after featuring in a series of adverts for TalkTalk’s 2016 campaign titled “This Stuff Matters.” The entire Sandiford family, including parents Julie and Paul, siblings Lucy and Harry, and even their dog Elvis, took part. They were filmed nonstop for two weeks using 17 unmanned cameras to capture authentic everyday moments.
The resulting advert bears a striking resemblance to Gogglebox, showing the family watching TV, eating meals, and chatting with friends via phone and video calls. This early exposure helped pave the way for their future television success.
Personal Relationships and Family Milestones
Away from the show, Pete is happily married to his wife Paige. The couple tied the knot in 2021, and later that same year, they welcomed their first child, a baby boy named Jimmy. Reflecting on fatherhood, Pete told The Mirror, “It’s a bit overwhelming, got it all going on at the moment!” He also confirmed his wedding, saying, “I’m married now! It was nerve-wracking, but the best day of my life. Well, second-best day as I’m a dad now, too.”
In June 2023, Pete and Paige welcomed a daughter, Evie, with Pete sharing an adorable photo and writing, “Myself and @paigesandiford_ would like to welcome the newest addition to our family, Eva Sylvie Sandiford.”
Meanwhile, Sophie is in a relationship with boyfriend Ben McKeown. The couple went public in 2022, with Sophie sharing loved-up photos on Instagram. Last year, she revealed that she and Ben had gotten engaged, marking another exciting milestone in her personal life.
Gogglebox continues to air on Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4, with Pete and Sophie Sandiford remaining key figures in the show's enduring appeal.
