Gogglebox fans were overjoyed to see their favourite programme return for another season this week – but there’s something unusual this time.
Stephen Webb announced his departure from Gogglebox earlier this week, after ten years as a sofa critic on the Channel 4 show.
His partner Daniel Lustig-Webb will be joining him, with the duo eager to ‘explore prospects’ after a decade of making us all laugh out loud with their clever remarks and scathing assessments.
‘After careful consideration, Daniel and I have decided we will not be returning for the new series of Gogglebox,’ Stephen shared on social media.
‘We feel the time is right to move on and explore other opportunities.’
So, when Gogglebox returned on Friday night, there was an obvious Stephen-shaped void.
As a result, some regular viewers even branded it ‘boring’.
Taking to Twitter to express their sadness, one person wrote: ‘Losing Stephen is a big loss im finding this quite boring missing some of the old cast’.
‘Not gonna be the same #Gogglebox without Stephen and Daniel, really enjoyed their reviews’, another said.
‘It’s weird watching @C4Gogglebox without Stephen and Daniel’, echoed another.
‘Gonna miss Stephen and Daniel so much they were fab’, one viewer agreed.
Following Stephen and Daniel’s departure from Gogglebox, programme creators Studio Lambert and Channel 4 offered nothing but praise for the pair.
‘After a brilliant and illustrious time on Gogglebox, Stephen and Daniel have decided that now is the right time to explore life beyond the sofa and leave the show,’ their statement read.
Was so excited for Gogglebox tonight until my mum has just texted me to inform me Stephen and Daniel have left and won’t be in the new series. Gutted, they were hilarious ☹️
— Gemma (Taylor’s Version) (@gemmahanson_) September 8, 2023
Really not the same without Stephen and Daniel is it #gogglebox
— Angie (@arngelar) September 8, 2023
Not gonna be the same #Gogglebox without Stephen and Daniel, really enjoyed their reviews x
— Abdullahi Mohamed (@abdulmohamed02) September 8, 2023
Losing Stephen is a big loss im finding this quite boring missing some of the old cast #gogglebox
— matty (Fan account) 😊 (@tvreality93) September 8, 2023
It’s weird watching @C4Gogglebox without Stephen and Daniel. #Gogglebox #Channel4
— @TheMediaAvenger (@ThomasF24943789) September 8, 2023
‘As one of the original Goggleboxers, Stephen has entertained the nation with his hilarious quips since the show first started in 2013, sharing his opinions on the best and biggest TV events of the last 10 years.
‘We would like to thank him and Daniel for being utterly brilliant contributors to the show, and we wish them well with their future projects.’
Stephen, a hairdresser, was also swamped with kind notes from his co-stars.
Dave Griffiths – who appears on the show with his wife Shirley – commented: ‘Aww that’s upset me and shirley, to think your finishing but we all take different paths you both take care lots of love dave and shirley xxx ❤️❤️’
Sophie Sandiford – who appears with hilarious older brother Pete – added: ‘Best of luck to both of you, you’ll be greatly missed!❤️ lots of love🥰 xx’
One half of the Warner sisters, Izzi, added: ‘Gonna miss you both 😭😭💗💗’
Stephen joined the Gogglebox family in 2013, first appearing with his ex Christopher Steed.
Following Christopher’s departure from the series in 2017, Stephen’s mother Pat Webb filled in from series 10 to 12, before Daniel joined in 2019.
There’s no denying that he provided followers with some memorable, meme-worthy moments throughout the years, but only one original family survives.
The Siddiquis have also been on the show since 2013, making them the longest-running Goggleboxers.
Jenny Newby and Lee Riley, best friends who joined (from their renowned caravan) in 2014, are also current fan favourites.
Gogglebox airs Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4 and All4.
