Gogglebox stars’ rollercoaster love lives from divorce that left show legend ‘suicidal’ to shock 24 hour split
GOGGLEBOX often gives viewers a glimpse into the relationship dynamics of its stars as couples cosy up on the sofa in front of the telly.
At times they feel so familiar it’s almost as if they’re extensions of family and friends.
Which makes it surprisingly hard to take when seemingly happy-go-lucky pairings announce they’re splitting up.
We take a look at some of the show’s beloved (former) couples and their break-up dramas:
Stephen Webb and Daniel Lustig
Earlier this month The Sun revealed how the TV favourites, who run a hair salon together, had decided to call it a day.
Stephen, who appeared on the Channel 4 show for a decade before announcing he was quitting late last year, said: “It’s with much sadness Daniel and I have decided to divorce.
“There is, and always will be, a lot of love there but we’ve unfortunately grown apart and made the decision to part ways.”
Daniel said: “We’ve made the decision with a very heavy heart to confirm our marriage has come to an end.
“I’m sure we will forever be friends.”
The couple have so far stayed true to that pledge, having since been photographed on a day out on Brighton seafront.
Scarlett Moffatt and Scott Dobinson
Gogglebox turned Scarlett into the nation’s sweetheart, a status that was cemented when she won I’m A Celebrity in 2016.
When she found love with policeman Scott everyone was cheering them on and hopeful she’d found her prince charming.
It certainly seemed to be the case after they moved into their dream home in the North East.
But disaster temporarily struck in 2021 and fans were left reeling when the couple announced they were over.
Fortunately, it was a brief 24 hour separation and they quickly rekindled things, admitting the stress of moving had caused a few issues.
They’re very much still together and look set for the long haul.
Denise Van Outen and Eddie Boxshall
This former fun-loving pair regularly had a right old laugh on their sofa.
So it was a shock when it emerged Eddie had been sexting other women behind Denise’s back.
While he was apologetic, the seven-year relationship couldn’t be saved.
Speaking on Radio 2, Denise said: “The one thing I’m really proud of myself for is I do know when to walk away and I don’t like to be taken advantage of.
“Sometimes it’s been to the detriment of my own career or in my own relationships, but I just feel like it’s really important as a woman to have self-worth and self-respect.
“I’ve always tried to maintain that in anything that I do in life, generally. More so now as a mother because I feel like I’m a role model and I’ve got to set an example.”
Denise quickly moved on with property developer Jimmy Barba but they too split late last year.
Tom Malone Jr and Bryony Briscoe
For a time this former couple were inseparable, regularly sharing loved-up posts on social media.
At one stage they were anticipating big life moments together.
Tom once said: “It’s been good, it feels like we’ve been together for a lot longer than we have.
“It’s actually gone a lot better than I thought it would.
“I’ve always been like very strict on the fact that I wouldn’t get into a relationship if I didn’t think that potential was there.
“Unless I can see myself getting married to the person, I wouldn’t get into a relationship because I wouldn’t waste my time or the other person’s time.”
However, in 2022 he confirmed the split when he unfollowed Bryony on social media and announced he was moving to Manchester and “leaving any baggage in 2022” in a not so subtle dig at his now ex.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
- Movember, www.uk.movember.com
- Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk, 03444 775 774 Monday-Friday 9.30am-10pm, Saturday/Sunday 10am-8pm
Rylan Clark and Dan Neal
Rylan and Dan are another Celebrity Gogglebox couple that saw their relationship fall apart in the public eye.
X Factor legend Rylan took responsibility for the split after his growing fame drove a wedge between them.
The aftermath of the split threatened to derail his career and Rylan plunged into a downward spiral that left him suicidal.
Reflecting on his lowest moments in an interview with the Guardian, Rylan said: “I couldn’t understand why I pressed the nuclear button on my seemingly perfect life.
“And it’s only now I’m better that I realise it was the ejector seat I needed. Now I just wish I’d pressed that escape button earlier.
“I got so ill to the point where I knew I couldn’t get any iller. I couldn’t speak; I had to learn to speak again, I had to learn to move again – it was like I’d had a stroke. Nothing made sense to me.”
He has since recovered and is now happily single and more in demand than ever on TV and radio.