Are Celebrity Gogglebox stars breaking the lockdown rules?

23 October 2020, 14:24

Celebrity Gogglebox fans call out the show for seemingly 'breaking social distancing rules'

Are the Celebrity Gogglebox stars adhering to social distancing rules? Here's what we know...

Celebrity Gogglebox is back on our screens this Friday night, cheering us all up after another week of uncertainty.

The likes of Vicky McClure and Martin Compston, comedians Mo Gilligan and Babatunde Aleshe, and Craig David and KSI are all sitting down to judge the week’s best TV.

But despite the stars adhering to strict social distancing rules, viewers have been confused over whether the Channel 4 show is ignoring government guidance.

So, are the stars following lockdown rules? Here’s what we know…

Are Celebrity Gogglebox stars breaking the lockdown rules?

Boris Johnson has ramped up lockdown this month, meaning people living in Tier 2 and 3 areas in England are no longer able to see friends and family they don’t live with indoors.

However, TV shows are allowed to film, but under a new set of strict guidelines.

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Consequently, Channel 4 bosses are allowed to carry on filming Celebrity Gogglebox, with a spokesperson previously telling us at Heart.co.uk: “All those involved in filming Celebrity Gogglebox are doing so safely following industry production guidelines.”

Alex Mahon, Chief Executive for Channel 4 added: “I’m phenomenally proud of the role Channel 4, alongside our production partners, has played over the last two months to help navigate audiences, particularly young and hard-to-reach viewers, through the Covid crisis.

“Unlocking the television production sector in a safe way will be vital to continuing to ensure we can both continue to serve our audiences and help sustain the livelihoods of those in the industry – and I’m pleased that we’ve been able to work in partnership with other broadcasters, DCMS and PACT to create this innovative new framework.”

Celeb Gogglebox star Gyles Brandreth also explained the rules after one fan asked: "How come you’re allowed to visit inside the house?"

To which he replied: "It's work because it's a TV show: we stay 2 metres apart & there's no one else in the building."

This comes after fans took to social media to question production earlier this year.

“How does this comply with social distancing rules?,” asked one viewer.

Another commented: “I keep focusing on the social distancing ......... #Gogglebox #CelebrityGogglebox”.

While a third added: “Where's the social distancing on Celebrity Gogglebox? These guys don't live together! They're not supposed to be indoors?”

Meanwhile, Ofcom received 203 complaints about series 15 of Gogglebox after fans accused certain cast members of not adhering to guidelines.

A spokesperson explained: "Most of the families live together but where they don't, they are complying with PHE [Public Health England] social distancing guidelines.

"Gogglebox will only film with families where it's safe to do so. The health and safety of our cast and crew is paramount."

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