Scottish family wanted for Gogglebox after MPs complain to Channel 4

A Scottish family is set to star on Gogglebox after Channel 4 announced a dedicated fund for the search.

The hit show, which has been broadcast on Channel 4 since 2013, sees friends and families watch and comment on the week’s top television moments.

The search comes following a Scottish Affairs Committee session on public broadcasting in Scotland with Channel 4 on September 20.

During the evidence session, MPs discussed a number of issues including privatisation, Channel 4’s presence in Scotland and the impact Covid-19 has had on its production companies.

Following the meeting, the channel’s chief executive Alex Mahon has written to MPs to confirm the broadcaster has agreed a separate budget for a dedicated casting team to find a suitable Scottish family to appear on the hit show.

It is hoped that at least one Scottish family will appear on the programme from the New Year.

Pete Wishart MP, chairman of the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster, welcomed the decision to bring a Scottish family onto the hit television show.

Wishart said: “Channel 4 has impressive credentials for supporting independent producers and offering opportunities for young people wishing to explore the sector.

“We are bursting at the seams with talent in Scotland, and I am pleased to hear Channel 4’s efforts to harness this potential.

“A theme which came up in our evidence session was the lack of a Scottish family on Gogglebox.

“It is clear some have approached the channel with similar concern, often offering themselves as an option.

“I am therefore pleased to see a dedicated team tasked with this and look forward to seeing the successful family on our screens in the new series.”

Previously Scottish Tory leader Douglas Ross told Channel 4 bosses at the Scottish Affairs Committee he and his wife were fans of the show and offered to be “part of it”.

However following laughs from other MPs on the committee he added “the response from my colleagues in the committee room suggests that is not a viable option”.