Telly addicts on TV

Linda and Pete McGarry, and Linda’s son George Gilbey, are among the fans favourites on cult Channel 4 series Gogglebox.

The St Osyth family are one of 16 families from around the country that appears in the show where people are filmed talking about the programmes they are watching on television.

George, 29, got asked to take part by a friend who works for Channel 4.

But at first he was not sure if his mum and stepdad would be interested.

He said: “It made sense to do it at their home because basically although I live across the road from mum I’m there all the time.

“But I didn’t really want to encroach on mum or Pete and have a camera crew at their house all the time.”

That all changed after George and Linda did a pilot and the producers asked for a third person to take part.

George added. “Pete was great. He just said ‘don’t be silly, we’ll all do it’.

“They usually ask us whether we would be interested in watching a certain programme and then if we are we’ll either record it or watch it live with the television crew there.

“I’ve never done telly before so it’s all new to me but the crew are brilliant and really unintrusive when they come to the house.

“To be honest I was a little wary about being filmed because I’ve seen those shows like Come Dine With Me where people don’t come across particularly well but I have to say I’m really happy with how it’s gone so far.”

Broadcast every Wednesday night, highlights have included the family’s musings on love - while watching a couple’s audition fall flat on The X Factor.

George said since appearing on the show quite a few friends had commented on their appearence.

He said: “I don’t think mum minds it. Pete goes a bit red faced when someone recognises him.

“I’ve really enjoyed doing it. People have said we are the comical family on the show which is nice and I’ve even had a few people buy me drinks in the pub, which is a bonus.”

Gogglebox is on Channel 4 on Wednesday nights at 10pm until December 18.