Gogglebox ‘thrown into chaos as second lockdown regulations could affect filming’

Gogglebox filming has reportedly been thrown into chaos over second lockdown regulations.

The new rules, which come into effect on Thursday, will see all home visits – including in gardens – banned unless you are part of a support bubble. 

According to The Sun, this will be ‘difficult’ for Gogglebox filming as several of the show’s families live apart.

The publication claims that the hit Channel 4 show, which launched series 16 in September, will be broadcasting until December so it will be affected by second lockdown rules, which are set to be in place until at least Wednesday 2 December.

Gogglebox first aired on screens in 2013 and features members of the public reacting to various TV programmes throughout the week.

MailOnline has contacted Gogglebox for comment. 

During the last lockdown, which was introduced in March, sisters Ellie and Izzi Warner were forced to film separately as they live in different homes.

Ellie’s boyfriend Nat replaced her sibling on the sofa and was a huge hit with fans at the time.

Although later in the series, fans were left unimpressed after the sisters reunited and watched hours of TV together in the same room, despite not living together. 

A spokesperson for Gogglebox told The Sun Online at the time: ‘Most of the families live together but where they don’t, they are complying with PHE [Public Health England] social distancing guidelines.

‘Gogglebox will only film with families where it’s safe to do so. The health and safety of our cast and crew is paramount.’

While Gogglebox veteran Sid Siddiqui, 73, was forced to stay off the show in isolation away from his sons Baasit, 34, and Umar, 41, who appeared on the show without him from their home in Derby earlier this year. 

Gogglebox was able to continue filming during the first lockdown due to rigged cameras in the cast’s living rooms to prevent crew members having to enter their homes.

Ian Katz, Channel 4’s director of programming, told Digital Spy: ‘The coronavirus outbreak is an enormous creative challenge for all broadcasters and though it is having a profound impact on getting some of our productions onto screen

‘It’s also a time when public service broadcasters like Channel 4 can step up and help people navigate through the extraordinary challenges we all now face.’