Gogglebox has become a firm favourite with TV viewers over the years, with the format of the Channel 4 show proving to be a genius idea. The hit show sees families across the UK watch the latest television shows and react to them - a simple but incredibly effective idea.
Gogglebox launched in 2013 and is now in its 23rd series. There's been several spin-off editions too, including a well received celebrity version and a kids' show, dubbed Gogglesprogs.
The cast of Gogglebox have found mild fame thanks to the show, amassing thousands of followers on social media and some even going on to carve out careers in showbiz, such as ex-cast member Scarlett Moffatt. Duos such as Sophie and Pete Sandiford have won the hearts of the nation with their banter, while families including the Malones have cemented themselves as fan favourites.
Being a part-time Goggleboxer isn't a bad side hustle either. You get to spend time with your loved ones and are paid a nice sum for simply watching the telly, and TV bosses even treat you to a takeaway during filming sessions.
It's been revealed that the cast take home around £1,500 per month for their efforts. This is split between the entire household however, meaning everyone gets a fair share of the cash. The earn this, each family watches 12 hours of TV per week and are filmed doing so.
One family has earned more than the others thanks to their long service on Gogglebox - appearing in more than 300 episodes.
The Siddquis have starred on the Channel 4 show since it first began in 2013. The family, made up of Sid, Umar, Bassit and Raza, were recommended by a "friend of a friend" to TV bosses and landed a role on the show.
They've appeared in 320 episodes of Gogglebox so far, meaning they could have earned over £100,000 for simply watching television. The Siddiquis are the longest-serving cast members to date, followed by Jenny Newby and Lee Riley, and the Malone family.
You may be tempted to sign up for Gogglebox for some quick cash, but we have some bad news. It's been revealed that it isn't possible to apply to appear on the show - all cast members were scouted.
Gogglebox creator Stephen Lambert previously opened up about picking the cast. Speaking at the Radio Times Festival in 2015, he explained: “Everybody on Gogglebox has been found and persuaded to be on the show and I think that’s the key to why they are likeable and why the show works, because we get to know these people. We’ve never advertised for people on Gogglebox.”
Fellow creator Tania Alexander also added: “I knew from the off that I didn’t want to put people on television who wanted to be on television. I wanted to put people on television that had the ability to make us laugh very naturally and that’s quite hard.
