Gogglebox icon Sandra Martin has revealed that she relies on state benefits - four years after parting ways with the Channel 4 staple which launched her to stardom.
The 61-year-old from Brixton, alongside her friend Sandi Bogle captured the hearts of UK TV fans after their first appearance with the show in 2013 - but their stint was relatively brief, with Sandi quitting three years later.
Sandra recalls having a panic attack after Sandi decided to walk out on the show in a bid to explore other avenues - such as Celebrity Big Brother - but she brought in daughter Chanchez Martin shortly after as a replacement.
Read more: Gogglebox family speak out after 'disappointing' axe from Channel 4 series
The Mirror reports the star says she's now back on benefits after quitting the show two years on from Sandi, and deeply regrets calling time on her Gogglebox journey. Sandra explained: "I didn't want to talk about sex in front of my daughter on the TV, and I was also getting a lot of backlash like, ‘Where’s Sandi?’
"I could’ve stayed, they offered me real money, but s*** happens."
Sandra adds how that while she may regret quitting the show, she is grateful for the platform she has which she uses to raise money for charity and help the homeless. Speaking in her chat with The Sun, Sandra also confirms she is still very close to her original sofa partner Sandi and even goes to see her pal in panto - adding how no matter what the pair go through, they always have time for each other.
"We're besties. We've been through, ups, downs, thick and thin, the worst, the wears, the tears, the bumps, the laughs," she continued, adding: "That's friendship. You can't beat that, no matter what."
Sandra initially addressed her Gogglebox departure at the time, telling This Morning viewers: "It's four and a half years now, and I'm just moving on, keeping up with the times."
In 2021, Sandra confessed the "money was good" and it was "easy" work appearing on Gogglebox.
"Channel 4 paid my rent, council tax, water, electric, tax, TV license, all my bills, and I still had £400-a-week for food and stuff like getting my nails done," she told Fabulous magazine.
"It wasn’t millions of pounds but I did good. I never knew my fixed wage, even now I haven't got the contract. You get odd jobs too, sofa adverts, I got paid £10,000 for one of those."
Ahead of Gogglebox's 10 anniversary later this year, many suspect original stars like Sandra and Sandi may make a one-off appearance on the show once again.
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