Channel 4's latest series of Gogglebox is in full swing, bringing some of our favourite stars back to our screens.
However, two local favourites are still yet to be seen in the 17th season of the show: Mary and Marina.
The two women, who live in Bedminster, haven't made a single appearance between them since the current series began. They were previously left out of series 15 after the 2020 spring lockdown lifted, as the pair are in their 90s and staff felt their taking part would put their health at risk. They did, however, return for series 16 in the autumn, and since then they have both received their first coronavirus vaccines.
We are, of course, now in a third national lockdown, but the restrictions shouldn't preclude anyone from taking part, since going in to private homes is allowed for work purposes.
We've asked Channel 4, which broadcasts the hit show, and Studio Lambert, the production company, multiple times about Mary and Marina, but neither company has responded. They haven't acknowledged Mary and Marina's absence publicly in the lead up to or since the beginning of series 17.
Fans are certainly missing the duo. One said: "Watching Gogglebox and have realised I haven’t seen Mary and Marina recently. I hope they’re ok and just being sensible in the ongoing lockdown? Looking forward to seeing them again."
Another, meanwhile, asked the official Gogglebox Twitter account: "We haven't seen Mary and Marina so far this series - are they okay?"
A third wrote: "I'm missing Mary and Marina so badly!"
In the meantime, we do continue to have local representation on the show from the Plummer brothers, who are as entertaining as ever. Let's hope Mary and Marina join them on the show again soon.
Gogglebox airs on Channel 4 at 9pm every Friday.
