Channel 4 look for a Scottish family to appear on Gogglebox after SNP MP and viewers complained about a ‘lack of representation’ north of the border
- Channel 4 to fund a casting team to find a Scottish family to star in Gogglebox
- Chairman of Scottish Affairs Committee, Pete Wishart, welcomed the decision
- Channel 4’s chief executive Alex Mahon told MPs there will be separate budget
Channel 4 is set to look for a Scottish family to appear on Gogglebox after an SNP MP and viewers complained about the ‘lack of representation’ on the show.
The pledge to fund a dedicated casting team to find a Scottish family before the end of the year was made after Scottish Tory leader, Douglas Ross, told bosses there had not been a Scottish family on the programme since 2016.
Chairman of the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster, Pete Wishart MP, welcomed the decision, which followed his committee’s evidence session on public broadcasting in Scotland with Channel 4.
Channel 4 is set to look for a Scottish family to appear on Gogglebox (pictured) after an SNP MP and viewers complained about the ‘lack of representation’ on the show
After almost a decade on screen, Gogglebox, which is currently on its 18th series, has only featured one Glasgow family, the Manuel’s, who were living in Croydon at the time.
Channel 4 chief executive Alex Mahon told the committee: ‘We do get complaints about the lack of representation on Gogglebox which is one of our biggest shows.’
She described this as being a ‘continued pressure’ and has since written to MPs to confirm that 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 be appearing on the programme, which has been honoured with BAFTAs and the National Television Awards, from the New Year.
During the Scottish Affairs Committee session held on September 20, MPs explored a number of areas ranging from privatisation, Channel 4’s presence in Scotland and the impact Covid-19 has had on its production companies.
Chairman of the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster, Pete Wishart MP, (pictured) welcomed the decision
Mr 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.’
In a letter to Mr Wishart, Ms Mahon said: ‘Since I met with you we have agreed a separate budget with Studio Lambert for a dedicated casting team specifically tasked with finding a suitable Scottish family.
‘The casting period is already underway and will run up to Christmas.
‘The ambition is to identify at least one Scottish family who will become part of the Gogglebox cast for the next series which will air in the new year.’
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