How Gogglebox families were discovered from bridge club to Pete and Sophie’s advert

For more than a decade, the stars of Gogglebox have been keeping us entertained with their hilarious reactions to some of the biggest shows.

With the same familiar families gracing our screens, we've fallen in love with their different unique quirks and personalities, with many, such as Scarlett, going on to find huge fame from the show.

We've been with them through some of the biggest highs and lows, such as when Ellie Warner welcomed a new baby, or when we sadly had to say goodbye to the beloved Leon and June who passed away.

Over the last nine years, the hit Channel 4 show has attracted millions of devoted fans who look forward to starting their weekend with a new episode. But how does the channel decide who would make a good couch critic and why?

Here's how some of our favourite families were selected to take part.

The Malones originally turned the producers down

The much loved Malones family were almost never on our screens as they originally turned the show down after the family was approached at a dance studio where Tom Jr taught and Julie helped out on reception.

Julie previously told theManchester Evening News: "Tom Senior said no.

"We explained about the rottweilers and the staffie but they still wanted us. They came over and had a chat, and took a video of us chatting. Three weeks later someone rang and said we like you, and Tom changed his mind.”

Giles and Mary came recommended

Sometimes it’s all about who you know, as Gogglebox co-creator Tania Alexander revealed that Giles and Mary were recommended to her by a "friend of a friend"

She told the Radio Times: “Giles and Mary were recommended to her by a "friend of a friend". She said: "Then I think I got [producer] Lucy Whelan to call to see if they were interested.

"Lucy came off the phone and said Giles is quite keen, Mary's not a pushover – we've got a bit of a battle on our hands there." The couple were eventually persuaded to join the cast after taking part in a fun 'taster' session.

Mary has previously said appearing on the show with husband Giles has brought them closer together and "saved their marriage". Mary said the two, who have nicknamed each other 'Nutty', were like “ships that pass in the night” before they joined the cast of the Channel 4 show.

Reverend Kate Bottley was found from a viral video

It was viral fame that landed Kate a spot on the show, with producers noticing a clip of her officiating a wedding when she suddenly led a flash mob into the aisles.

The video saw guests dancing to 90s hit "Everybody Dance Now" show bosses realising she had potential.

Speaking about her decision to appear in the show, Kate previously toldthe Telegraph: “People say to me, 'you’re just like Dawn French’ [in The Vicar of Dibley], but she’s not a vicar. She’s a brilliant actress. So I thought it was an opportunity to show that vicars are just normal people."

The Tapper family were originally considered for another show

The Tapper family were actually in the process of being cast for a different programme called Jewish Mum Of The Year, when producers offered them a spot on Gogglebox instead

Nikki previously told the Sunday Post: "I'd just recovered from breast cancer and my mum nominated me.

"But I ended up not going on it – actually Jonathan didn't want me to do it. The researcher, who came round and met the kids, must have kept my number and phoned out of the blue saying she was helping out with this small four-week programme."

She added : "I didn't understand how it would be done and I didn't think Jonathan would have any interest in being on TV."

The Siddiquis also came recommended

The Siddiquis are one of just two families who have been on the show since the start, alongside Stephen Webb, who first appeared with his ex Chris.

They also came recommended to the Gogglebox producers, according toCloser .

The boys’ mum Nasreen has explained why she has never appeared in front of the camera and never will. She told theDaily Mail: "Oh no, 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 Moffatts were chosen by Scarlett's friend

Scarlett has become one of the biggest stars of the show, going on to win I'm a Celebrity and taking up presenting roles on Saturday Night Takeaway and other shows.

But her family only ended up being cast because she was friends with someone who worked there.

Speaking toGrazia, she told of how the Gogglebox job came about. Scarlett said: "I never planned to be on TV. I was 23 and working in Asda when my friend Tommy asked me about Gogglebox."

He worked on the show and couldn’t find anyone to audition in the north east so asked if I’d do it, to help him out. I went down to the auditions and my mum came during her lunch hour, too.

"The next day they said they wanted us on the show and we had two days to decide. I remember thinking, ‘It’s £50 and a free takeaway, what’s the worst that can happen?’."

Stephen and Chris were discovered while at work

Gogglebox veteran Stephen was discovered alongside his then partner Chris wile at work.

According toCloser, producers simply popped into a hairdressers and asked if anyone would like to be on telly.

Chris, who worked at the salon, was up for it and became a firm favourite until series 10 with his then partner Stephen.

In 2017, Chris quit the programme to "pursue other opportunities". Stephen remains on the show with his husband Daniel Lustig.

Pete and Sophie appeared in an advert first

Sibling duo Pete and Sophie were already well on their way to TV fame, when they landed a place on Gogglebox.

They were scouted after starring in two adverts for Talk Talk's This Stuff Matters campaign, with Pete's face even appearing on billboards.

Leon and June were scouted at a bridge club

The hilarious and heart-warming late couple Leon and James were discovered through Leons’s trips to the Bridge club in 2012.

Leon came back to the house and told June that two young researchers, looking for people of a certain age to appear in a new show called Gogglebox, had paid a visit – and Leon’s hand went up immediately!

“We’re going to be stars!” he excitedly told June, who was more than a little cool – well, more disbelieving – about the whole thing: “Get real!” she told him. “People like us aren’t on TV.”

RIP Leon and June!

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