Celebrity Gogglebox faces new backlash over social distancing
Celebrity Gogglebox returned last night (June 5) and while that is usually a cause for celebration, not all viewers were impressed.
The latest episode saw stars like Coronation Street's Maureen Lipman and Countdown Dictionary Corner favourite Gyles Brandeth, and The Happy Mondays' Bez and Shaun Ryder, giving their opinions on the week's TV.
But a number of fans watching and tweeting along were irked by the celebrities visiting each other's houses, when current social distancing rules allow people to go to a friend's house and hang out in their garden, which not everyone has. Some also shared concern about them sharing mugs and bowls.
Related: Eamonn Holmes criticises Celebrity Gogglebox for "idiotic and cruel edit" regarding his father
"Where's the social distancing on Celebrity Gogglebox? These guys don't live together! They're not supposed to be indoors?" queried one viewer, whilst another added: "How is this not breaking lockdown/social distancing rules? Does this mean I can visit my best mate and just upload a live stream?".
A viewer called out the show for sending the "wrong message" to the show's fans: "Sending out the wrong message there Celebrity Gogglebox having some celebs who don't live together inside the same house".
Tweets below may contain strong language:
So if youre a celebrity on #celebrityGogglebox it appears you don't have to follow the rules on social distancing like us poor folk. No way do all of these live in the same house. Load of Gogglebollocks! @C4Gogglebox
— Haynesy (@GoonerHaynes) June 5, 2020
So the social distancing rule doesn’t apply to #CelebrityGogglebox cast then?! No way are all those pairings from the same households!!! Thought we could only sit outside if not our own homes? @C4Gogglebox
— Steven Kelly (@StevenKelly82) June 5, 2020
No offence but half of these celebs are social distancing, which is good, but half of them don’t even live with one another! 😑
We aren’t allowed to go inside others people’s houses though? 😕 #CelebrityGogglebox #PotKettle— Gemma Ryan. 🦩💕 (@MonkeySocks92) June 5, 2020
Not convinced on the alleged social distancing on #CelebrityGogglebox
— Sarah Wyatt (@MuseumGeekGirl) June 5, 2020
Sorry so we’re not meant to be in each other’s households yet they’ve let celebs sit apart in someone’s house so they can film gogglebox?! Are we just fucking off social distancing then?! #CelebrityGogglebox
— 𝚎𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚎 👸🏼 (@elliejcruse) June 5, 2020
Digital Spy have reached out to Channel 4 and Gogglebox for a statement on how they are handling social distancing and the safety measures they have in place, and will update once we have a response.
Loose Women star Stacey Solomon said that when a show technician came around to her house, she and her family had to be outside, while the broadcaster has previously talked about filming with rigged cameras so cast and crew aren't interacting.
Still, the main show has received over 200 complaints to Ofcom about the Goggleboxers breaking social distancing rules to film together, even when the voiceover says they are following the guidelines.
Celebrity Gogglebox airs Friday nights on Channel 4 at 9pm.
The information in this story is accurate as of the publication date. While we are attempting to keep our content as up-to-date as possible, the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic continues to develop rapidly, so it's possible that some information and recommendations may have changed since publishing. For any concerns and latest advice, visit the World Health Organisation. If you're in the UK, the National Health Service can also provide useful information and support, while US users can contact the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
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