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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

Why Celebrity Gogglebox stars are not 'breaking lockdown' and can film together while social-distancing

Celebrity Gogglebox made a much welcome return to our TV screens last week following the end of the popular civilian version a couple of weeks before.

The likes of Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash and Denise Van Outen and her partner Eddie all took to their sofas to give a review on a weeks worth of telly.

It also saw Vic Reeves and Jools Holland, Happy Monday's stars Shaun and Bez, Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw and his niece Liv and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and Heart Radio's Jamie Theakston all pair up for the special edition of Gogglebox.

But just like with the version, the Channel 4 show wasn't short of a few complaints regarding social-distancing as it became clear that some of the celebs do not actually live together.

Current government guidelines state that you can meet up to five other people outside of your household outdoors, such as in a park or in a persons garden.

The rules have been changed this week, taking effect from Saturday, that "support bubbles" can be formed with by single-adult households, allowing them to socialise with others without having to stay two metres away.

And Channel 4 have previously explained how they were still able to film during the coronavirus pandemic.

A spokesperson also said in relation to the earlier series: "Most of the families live together but where they don't, they are complying with PHE [Public Health England] social distancing guidelines.

"Gogglebox will only film with families where it's safe to do so. The health and safety of our cast and crew is paramount."

As a married couple living together, Ruth and Eamonn do not need to social distance (Channel 4)

There is also the fact that the recent easing of lockdown rules has seen TV productions resume filming - including the return of major British soaps.

This has come from a collaboration between Channel 4, ITV, BBC, Sky, Channel 5, STV, ITN, the Association for Commercial Broadcasters and On-Demand Services (COBA) and Pact to introduce new industry-wide guidelines for producing television safely in the weeks and months ahead.

Guidelines were then issued by the Producers Alliance for Cinema and Television which says that TV production can continue and recognised that the majority of this cannot be done from home.

Therefore, health and safety legislation and risk assessment should be carried out and PHE guidance should also be taken into account.

Gyles Brandreth, who appears in the show with Coronation Street's Maureen Lipman, also explained the rules after one fan asked: "How come you’re allowed to visit inside the house?"

To which he replied: "It's work because it's a TV show: we stay 2 metres apart & there's no one else in the building."

Celebrity Gogglebox airs Friday at 9pm on Channel 4.

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