Channel 4 viewers plead for change to Celebrity Gogglebox: ‘Isn’t the same!’
Gogglebox fans have been sharing their disappointment over the show’s latest spin‑off, which features a celebrity cast.
Strictly Come Dancing judges Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood made their Celebrity Gogglebox debut on Friday night’s episode of the Channel 4 programme.
The BBC judges joined the star-studded 2025 series line-up, which launched earlier this month.
The pair settled onto the sofa to share their opinions on various television programmes, marking their first appearance as armchair critics on the celebrity spin-off show.
Their debut was announced earlier in the week, generating significant anticipation amongst viewers.
The Strictly judges joined an already established cast of celebrities who have been offering their verdicts on the latest television offerings throughout the current series.
Viewer reactions to Friday’s episode proved divisive on social media. Some fans expressed their preference for the original format featuring non-celebrity households.
“Celebrities watching telly just isn’t the same as normal Gogglebox. Can’t wait for normal families,” one viewer posted. Another agreed: “Even though there are a few couples on Celebrity Gogglebox who are quite funny, it’s not as good as the ‘normal’ one.”
However, other viewers praised the celebrity line-up. “Finally some good celebs on tonight… especially Joe Wilkinson & Romesh!” one fan wrote on X.
Another viewer commented: “#bez and #shaun are the best thing about #Celebritygogglebox.”
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Friday’s episode also featured singer Rag’n’Bone Man making his Gogglebox debut alongside comedian Romesh Ranganathan.
The newcomers watched programmes including Coronation Street, Love Island, Countdown and Clarkson’s Farm.
They join returning celebrities such as Rylan Clark and his mother Linda, Martin Kemp and his son Roman, and Happy Mondays stars Bez and Shaun Ryder.
Other participants in the current series include Paddy McGuiness and Vernon Kay, Jess Glynne and Alex Scott, Vicky Pattison and Pete Wicks, and Nick Grimshaw and Liv.
Last week’s episode featured social media personality Angry Ginge paired with darts champion Luke Littler.
Maya Jama and her brother Omar, Lulu and Gyles Brandreth, and James and Clair Buckley also appeared in Friday’s instalment.
Anton expressed enthusiasm about his new role on the programme. “I’m super excited to be swapping the judges chair for a comfy sofa! Sitting down with my dear friend and fellow Strictly Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood to enjoy a bit of telly in this new series of Googlebox,” he told the Daily Mirror newspaper.
Following the announcement of their participation, fans rushed to social media with positive reactions.
“Can’t wait to see you on it, been hoping you’d do this for years!” one fan wrote, whilst another simply commented: “Fab-ul-ous” with red heart emojis.
Anton has served as a Strictly judge since 2021, having previously been a professional dancer on the BBC programme since its inception in 2004.