Gogglebox Returns With Laughter And Touching Tribute

Channel 4’s beloved television programme Gogglebox made its much-anticipated return to screens on Friday, February 6, 2026, launching its 27th series with a familiar blend of laughter, insight, and poignant moments. For many fans, the show’s comeback was more than just a weekly TV event—it was a comforting ritual restored after a brief hiatus, with viewers across the UK (and beyond) celebrating the return of the nation’s sharpest armchair critics.

This new series premiere was packed with the familiar faces that have become household names in their own right. The episode featured stalwarts such as Abbie and Georgia, Mary and Giles, and Jenny and Lee, all settling in for another round of candid commentary on the week’s biggest and most talked-about shows. Their viewing list was as varied as ever, spanning everything from the high-stakes drama of The Apprentice, the intellectual intrigue of Secret Genius, the gripping action of Motorway Cops: Catching Britain’s Speeders, to the sweeping romance of Bridgerton and the globe-trotting adventures of Hollywood star Will Smith’s Pole to Pole.

According to TV Zone, the format remains as engaging as ever: each episode is filmed over the previous seven days, capturing the households’ instant reactions, lively debates, and heartfelt responses to the latest in British television and breaking news. Whether it’s a Saturday night juggernaut or a gritty documentary, the Gogglebox families never shy away from sharing their unfiltered opinions—sometimes witty, sometimes feisty, always authentic.

The return of Gogglebox sparked a wave of joy on social media, with fans taking to X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram to express their delight. One viewer summed up the collective mood by posting, “Yes, Friday night belly laughs are back.” Another echoed the sentiment, writing, “New series of Gogglebox yay.” The sense of relief and happiness was palpable, with comments like, “It’s good to have Gogglebox back,” and “It’s utterly fascinating how so many seasons in the delightful show about people just watching TV can be so ridiculously addictive and wonderfully comforting. Never fails to wildly entertain.”

For many, the show is more than just entertainment—it’s a source of comfort and laughter at the end of a long week. As one enthusiastic viewer put it, “All hail the terrific delight @C4Gogglebox. How is it so darn therapeutic watching people just watch TV? Always the much needed light relief a s***** day requires. Bravo to all involved.” Another shared, “Few more delightful ways to wind down after a long week than the terrific delight.” The outpouring of affection was evident in the flurry of crying-with-laughter emojis and declarations of love for the show: “Love love love Gogglebox,” and “It made me giggle so much.”

Yet, the show’s reach and impact go far beyond the UK. Fans from around the globe chimed in, with one Australian viewer lamenting on Instagram, “We miss this show in Australia! You have many fans here and we’re bereft! (Used to be on @binge here but we haven’t had your last few seasons.” The comment underscored the widespread appeal of Gogglebox, as well as the frustration of regional restrictions that prevent international fans from keeping up with the latest episodes.

But the evening was not just about laughter and lightheartedness. In a moving moment at the conclusion of the episode, Gogglebox paid tribute to television producer Jonathan Clough, who passed away on December 26, 2025, after a courageous battle with Grade 4 Glioblastoma—an aggressive and incurable brain cancer. The screen displayed a heartfelt message: “In memory of Jonathan Clough,” alongside the years 1989 to 2025, marking the loss of a respected figure in the television community.

Clough had been diagnosed with the illness in 2024 at just 35 years old, following a sudden seizure and subsequent MRI that brought devastating news to his family. As reported by the Mirror, his partner Tracy Martin recounted the life-altering moment: “Two months after that, the results of an MRI brought our world crashing down. Our brilliant Jonathan, at only 35 years old, was diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma—an extremely aggressive and incurable brain cancer.”

In the wake of the diagnosis, Jonathan and Tracy were forced to leave their professional lives behind and move with their two young children from London to Wigan, seeking support from Tracy’s parents. The television community rallied around them, with actor Sam Swainsbury launching a GoFundMe campaign to help Jonathan access specialist care. Tracy documented the ups and downs on the fundraising page, sharing how Jonathan underwent surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. For a time, there was hope—the treatments appeared to stabilize the tumor. “For a while, we had hope. His scans showed the treatment was working, keeping the tumour stable. We dared to dream we’d fight this for a while,” she wrote.

However, the hope was short-lived. Later scans revealed regrowth of the tumor, which doctors deemed inoperable. In January, Sam Swainsbury shared the heartbreaking update that Jonathan had passed away on Boxing Day. “He saw his daughter’s first day at school,” Sam recalled. “He then made it to her first play. He then made it to Christmas. He then sadly passed on Boxing Day. He fought for every last second. He exceeded all expectations. He was extraordinary. I don’t have many more words than that. I still can’t believe it.”

Tributes poured in from across the television world. Ex-Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton, who worked with Jonathan during his time as a producer on the BBC dancing show from 2017 to 2019, posted photographs and wrote, “An amazing friend, an amazing man, an amazing father and a heck of a fighter for his amazing family. I will miss you forever.”

As the credits rolled on the season premiere, the tribute served as a poignant reminder of the people behind the scenes who help bring television magic to life—and the real-life struggles that sometimes unfold away from the camera’s gaze.

For now, with its blend of humor, heart, and humanity, Gogglebox continues to capture what Britain really thinks about its television—and, in moments like these, what it feels. The show airs Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4, welcoming viewers back to the nation’s living rooms week after week.