Gogglebox 2021 is back—this season's cast and concerns as key former stars make worrying allegations

Gogglebox is back on our screens just in time for the days to get shorter and the mercury to drop. Channel 4's bizarre but brilliant reality show promises that its 18th season will bring all the fun and shenanigans of previous installments.

A few key Gogglebox stars not returning for 2021, owing to death and bereavement, means there's a big change in this season's lineup. Ahead of season 18, Gogglebox casting was in full swing which means there are lots of new faces to look out for.

Whoever thought a TV show which comprised of filming people watching TV shows would be such a hit, might actually be a genius. After a remarkable 17 seasons, fans still can't get enough and the wait for information on the next run has been arduous to say the very least.

Gogglebox cast 2021, who's back?

• The Plummer family
• The Saddiqui family 
• Stephen Webb and Daniel Lustig 
• Giles Wood and Mary Killen
• Amira and Iqra
• The Worthington family
• Ellie and Izzi Warner
• The Malone family
• David and Shirley Griffiths
• The Ven family
• Pete and Sophie Sandiford
• Abbie and Georgia
• Anne and Ken
• Jenny and Lee

Ahead of the show's premiere, a few old favorites were a bit loose-lipped about their return!

Jenny and Lee revealed the news on their shared Instagram account after the season 17 finale. Lee wrote, "Thanks for watching Goggleboxers, time for Jenny to see her husband after three months with me. Really going to miss her tho, have a great summer everyone. SEE YOU ALL IN SEPTEMBER."

The Malone family's matriarch Julie also said on their Instagram account, "Well that's it for this series. Have a good summer, and we'll see you all in September."

Ellie Warner also shared that she and her sister will be back on our screens after that last episode aired saying, "Cheers all 🍻 last episode of @c4gogglebox tonight but never fear we’ll be back in September!"

Why did Paige and Sally leave Gogglebox?

Paige Deville announced her departure because of an irreversible fallout with mum and co-star Sally Hayward.

Former Gogglebox star Chris Ashby-Steed and his husband Tony spoke out in support of Brummie star Paige Deville after she sensationally quit the show.

Paige claims her departure is owing to the fallout with her mum and has alleged that the Gogglebox production team provided, "zero aftercare."

Tony tweeted his support for Paige and explained how he was left to deal with Chris', "shattered mental health" after he left the show.

When is Gogglebox 2021 on?

Gogglebox kicked off on Friday, September 17, 2021. 

The show airs in its usual 9pm slot and will be bringing the freshest content every week as always. If you have plans on those days, luckily you can catch up on the latest episodes, as well as their back catalog, on All 4.

Ahead of the series premiere, there was also an extra special Celebrity Gogglebox.

Who was on celebrity Gogglebox 2021?

Celebrity Gogglebox aired on Friday, September 10, 2021, at 9pm on Channel 4. The show was a part of Channel 4's Black to Front, a showcase of some of the nation’s best Black talent, all of the channel's programming will be putting Black stars front and center during 24 hours of carefully curated programming.

The episode featured existing black cast members along with the likes of Tinie Tempah, Maya Jama, Diversity’s Ashley Banjo, Instagram star Munya Chawawa, and Loose Women’s Charlene White and Judi Love. Fans went wild for Rupaul's Drag Race UK stars Tia Kofi and Tayce—who definitely brought the house down.

Unfortunately, several vile racist tweets in reaction to the day of broadcasting highlighted how huge the issue of racism is in the UK and how vital it is to fight it every day.