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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Lucy Needham

Gogglebox star Lee heartbroken to leave boyfriend in Cyprus as he returns for new series

Gogglebox star Lee Riley had an emotional farewell to his boyfriend Steve Mail as he was forced to leave him in Cyprus and return to the UK to resume filming the Channel 4 show.

Lee is set to appear in the new series - along with his best pal Jenny Newby - from his Hull caravan later this month.

Taking to social media from the slightly more exotic setting of Cyprus, Lee shared with followers that he'd had to say goodbye to his partner of 26 years.

Lee and Steve both put on a brave face as they posed for a selfie in front of their hotel pool to capture the final moments of their holiday.

Gogglebox's Lee Riley said goodbye to his partner of 26 years after a fun summer together in Cyprus (Instagram)

Posting the picture to Instagram, Steve wrote: "Never tire of this peaceful and chilled idyllic hideaway thanks for a fabulous time Lee Riley safe journey back to Blighty.

"Love you to the moon and back #vounikinghotelandrestaurant #cyprus2020 #gogglebox #series16," posted Steve.

Lee jetted out to Cyprus, where Steve lives, at the beginning of August.

Lee joined Steve in Cyprus at the start of lockdown (Instagram)
The pair have had a fabulous time abroad but now Lee must return to Hull (Instagram)

Over the the last month, the pair have been living their best lives in the sunny resort and documenting their antics on social media.

Followers have seen the duo supping cocktails, enjoying evening dinner dates and hanging out at the beach.

Steve initially feared his partner wouldn't be able to join him after the UK went into lockdown in March, but after regulations were eased Lee wasted no time in flying out to be with his beau.

(jennyandlee_gogglebox/Instagram)

Before that Lee had been fulfilling his Gogglebox commitments by having Jenny move into his caravan so they could continue filming the show together.

The popular Channel 4 show is set to return to screens on Friday September 11.

The format is expected to return to usual after the stars were forced to adjust to social distance measures amid the coronavirus pandemic in the last run.

Gogglebox creator Tania Alexander admitted that it hadn't been easy to keep the award-winning show running as restrictions and guidelines changed.

As the series came off air in July, she praised viewers for sticking by them, tweeting: "Huge THANK YOU for your kind messages re # Gogglebox and #CelebrityGogglebox.

"It really wasn’t easy getting this show to air every week during lockdown but ur support made it ALL worth it.

"Big shout out to the cast from both shows. AND my amazing team. See y’all on Sept 11th."

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