How is Gogglebox being filmed during lockdown?

While many programmes have found themselves hauled off air, Gogglebox continues to keep us entertained
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Kimberley Bond5 May 2020

We’re all in need of a laugh at the moment – which is why it’s such a relief to see Gogglebox on our screens every Friday.

The cheeky Channel 4 review show invites us to watch clips of whatever television shows that have been on air this week with a series of families who will provide off-the-cuff commentary from the comfort of their own sofas.

However, Gogglebox has raised a few eyebrows with its lockdown setp-up, with sisters Ellie and Izzi Warner sparking 163 complaints to Ofcom after viewers accused them of disobeying social distancing rules.

As the sisters don’t live together, Izzi was temporarily replaced by Ellie’s boyfriend Nat, but as of April 17, the pair have been back on screens and are now sitting two metres apart.

Ellie and Izzi raised eyebrows for not social distancing
Channel 4

Elsewhere, Gogglebox’s Lee Riley and Jenny Newby have raised eyebrowns by continuing to film in Jenny’s caravan.

The uproar from fans resulted in Channel 4 bosses issuing a statement, which said: “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."

Lee has since moved in with Jenny to keep filming
Channel 4

Lee has since cleared up any confusion, saying he has moved in with Jenny while the lockdown period continues, jokingly adding: “Friends with no benefits.”

Now, director of programmes at Channel 4 Ian Katz has spoken out about how the team behind the Bafta-winning Gogglebox have kept the show on air, hailing it as one of the channel’s “real miracles”.

“It quite quickly became a battle to keep key productions up and running,” he said at the Edinburgh Television Festival.

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“And one of the things I'm so proud of is the way we were able to identify key productions for us and keep them on air. One of the real miracles has been the way Gogglebox has stayed on air.”

He then explained how Gogglebox is staying on air with producers having now installed stationary camera rigs in participants’ homes. The crew then sit in vans located outside the homes to operate the camera.

To limit all unnecessary contact between the stars and the crew, toilet facilities have also had to be installed outside of every contributor's home for the crew.

Gogglebox continues Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4

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