Gogglebox fans were left confused after watching last night’s episode as sisters Ellie and Izzi were filming together despite not living in the same house.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic the UK is on strict lockdown rules. It means no one is allowed to move between houses and therefore must isolate with the people they live with.
Sisters reunited on Gogglebox
Viewers of the Channel 4 show know sisters Ellie and Izzi don’t live together. Recently Ellie was seen with her boyfriend instead of her sibling.
Read more: Gogglebox viewers beg for extra episodes during lockdown
But last night (Friday, April 17) the sisters were back together – albeit sitting on separate sofas at a distance.
Channel 4’s message at the start of the show insisted all social distancing rules were being adhered too, but viewers weren’t so sure.
Fans not impressed
I’m proper confused… They replaced Izzi with Ellie’s bf cos they weren’t isolating together, but now they’re back filming together?? Yet C4 said at the beginning that the cast is adhering to social distancing🤷🏼♀️ clearly not huns #Gogglebox
— Beth (@beth_williams96) April 17, 2020
Weird watching Gogglebox last night that Ellie & Izzie were in the same house after a couple weeks of them being apart. I’m guessing that social distancing in your own houses doesn’t matter for channel 4. Maybe we are all allowed to pop round our families house to watch TV now?
— Luke Potter (@LukePotter1983) April 18, 2020
#Channel4 Why are Izzie and Ellie allowed to film together #gogglebox when not living together and everyone else is not allowed into family homes to visit ?? Please explain #Channel4 #StayAtHome #coronavirus #StaySafe #StayAtHome answers please !!
— Elaine Fox (@_ElaineFox_) April 18, 2020
Ellie and Izzie is unacceptable we could all visit people and keep 2 metres away #Gogglebox
— liz (@lliss19) April 17, 2020
How can Izzie & Ellie talk about pressure on the NHS when they are breaking social distancing and are sat next to eachother. 😡 #Gogglebox
— RyRii (@RyRii8) April 17, 2020
@GoggleBoxC4 @Channel4 do you not think you have a responsibility as a PSB to adhere to the social distancing rules? What was with tonight’s #Gogglebox? Can you explain to the public why Izzi and Ellie are together?
— Jason Houghton (@Jaskers1983) April 17, 2020
@C4Gogglebox @Channel4 Disappointing to see Ellie & Izzi breaking lockdown rules and mixing households. Do the Government rules not apply for TV? #Covidiots #gogglebox #Channel4
— Matt Burr (@matt_burr) April 17, 2020
Gogglebox responds
In response to the concerns show creator Tania Alexander retweeted a message from someone telling the worriers to ‘stop moaning’.
It said: “There are some amount of whinging fannies watching #Gogglebox tonight, Channel 4 announced before the show started that everyone is following the guidelines, so please, stop your moaning.”
There are some amount of whinging fannies watching #Gogglebox tonight, Channel 4 announced before the show started that everyone is following the guidelines, so please, stop your moaning
— A wee Scottish guy (@AweeScottishgu1) April 17, 2020
Entertainment Daily has contacted Channel 4 for comment.
Ofcom complaints
Ofcom received complaints over the social distancing issue at the start of lockdown.
At the time of the complaints, a Channel 4 spokesperson revealed that they filmed recent episodes BEFORE Boris Johnson’s lockdown announcement.
They added that going forward “stricter filming protocols” were in place. And safety of crew and stars of the show was “paramount”.
Since then, there have been some changes to show, with Izzi being replaced by sister Ellie’s boyfriend while Jenny and Lee have decided to spend lockdown living together.
Lee confirmed the decision on Twitter. He wrote: “Jenny and me watching together as we are both on lockdown TOGETHER. Friends with no benefits I may add, an hour of laughs, stay safe, stay well.”
He also posted a video of the pair clapping for NHS workers last Thursday.
Well what can we say it’s Friday and it’s still on #Gogglebox 👏👏👏👏Jenny and me watching together as we are both on lockdown TOGETHER friends with no benefits I may add 😂😂an hour of laughs stay safe stay well #StayHomeSavesLives
— Lee And Jenny (@leegogglebox) March 27, 2020
👏👏👏 thank you👏👏👏 thank you 👏👏👏thank you #clapforkeyworkers #StayAtHomeSaveLives #gogglebox pic.twitter.com/eLqh67RTTK
— Lee And Jenny (@leegogglebox) April 2, 2020
Sticking to guidelines
The channel confirmed that there are now special cameras to catch the Gogglers’ reactions when watching TV.
Ian Katz, Channel 4’s director of programming, said: “The coronavirus outbreak is an enormous creative challenge for all broadcasters.
“And though it is having a profound impact on getting some of our productions onto screen, it’s also a time when public service broadcasters like Channel 4 can step up and help people navigate through the extraordinary challenges we all now face.”
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