Gogglebox cast face axe over strict rule they have to follow on Channel 4 show

Gogglebox has emerged as one of Britain's most cherished programmes, but it turns out there's a strict rule that cast members must adhere to.

Since the Channel 4 series launched back in 2013, it has brought us numerous legendary households across the nation: from Giles Wood and Mary Killen in Wiltshire to the Siddiqui family in Derby.

And whilst those featured on the programme aren't celebrities, they've all become enormously familiar faces on our televisions. Nevertheless, behind the cameras, there's a rigid regulation that the armchair critics must observe to remain on Gogglebox.

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The programme enforces a strict 'no celebrities' policy, meaning its participants cannot achieve 'celebrity' status by featuring in other television programmes whilst on Gogglebox, reports the Manchester Evening News.

This might result in their removal from the cast, similar to the Moffatt family who were dismissed shortly after daughter Scarlett departed in 2016 to feature on I'm A Celebrity.

Scarlett ultimately triumphed on the ITV programme and has established herself as a prominent television figure, securing presenting roles on programmes like Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway.

Speaking to The Sunday People, a source claimed that Scarlett's meteoric rise to fame concluded the Moffatt family's tenure on the programme. They revealed: "The whole premise of Gogglebox is normal people commenting on the TV.

"Scarlett is now a celebrity in her own right so it made sense she wouldn't continue. She and her parents came as a package. It wouldn't work so well without all three of them."

Meanwhile, the Tapper family faced temporary removal when daughter Amy featured on Celebs Go Dating in 2018. The Michael family also stepped away from the programme in 2014 when father Andrew campaigned as a UKIP candidate in the general election.

Furthermore, the programme's co-creator, Tania Alexander, previously discussed the selection process and stressed that they seek 'people who don't want to be on television'.

Speaking to CST Online, Tania revealed: "There's never been an application process for Gogglebox. If you ask me what are the types of people I'm looking for, I'd say that I don't want people that want to be on telly.

"I especially don't want people that want to be on Gogglebox. Most of our cast have had to be persuaded to do it."

Tanja elaborated: "Those people who don't think they're funny are usually very funny and their lack of awareness is attractive. If someone says they'd be great on Gogglebox you can guarantee they probably won't be. We didn't want loads of wannabes so I said no to applications and we will street cast."

Gogglebox airs on Friday at 9pm on Channel 4.