Celebrity Gogglebox made its highly anticipated return to screens earlier this month, the eighth instalment of its hit star-studded spin-off series. Some of Britain's favourite personalities returned with fresh opinions and hilarious commentary about new shows, films and documentaries. Many of those faces include beloved TV presenter Denise Van Outen, who first became a sofa expert in 2019 initially joining the line-up alongside her ex-boyfriend Eddie Boxshall. After the end of their seven-year relationship and engagement, the 52-year-old was then joined by Blue icon Duncan James in 2022.
Making her comeback to the 2026 cast, Denise thrilled longtime fans by reuniting with her former Big Breakfast co-host Johnny Vaughan. After a multi-decade feud, the pair let bygones be bygones, taking fans back to the early 1990s with their hilarious commentary. In a new interview with the Daily Express, Denise opened up about filming for the reality show and revealed that the cast go into each episode completely unaware of what they'll be watching.
The TV presenter confirmed: "No. When the crew arrive, we don’t know what we’re going to see, which is why I think they get natural reactions.
"You spend a whole day watching the news, game shows, movies and all sorts. It’s fun. It’s
Speaking to the Daily Express on behalf of Sky Vegas, Denise also revealed she jumped at the opportunity after being a fan of the original series, admitting: "Yes, I’d always watched it. I remember when it first came out, and I thought it was such an unusual concept for a show
"I think what people like with Gogglebox is that you get to see people in their own environment. TV has changed over the years, and because of smartphones, people are used to having an insight into people’s lives."
The Channel 4 star stated: "I think that’s why it took off so much, because people like to see, especially on the celebrity version, you in your natural home and your natural environment. I’m sure half of it is so people can have a look at your house and see where you live.
"The great thing about Gogglebox is that because you watch all these different shows, quite often it inspires people to watch some of the things they’ve seen on the show. In terms of television, it’s a real celebratory show for TV in general."
In the latest series, Denise is among the returning favourites including Rylan Clark and mum Linda, Martin and Roman Kemp, Bez and Shaun Ryder, Paddy McGuinness and Vernon Kay, Ashley Banjo and Perri Kiely, Vicky Pattison and Pete Wicks, Mo Gilligan and Babatunde Aleshe, Stephen Mangan and sister Anita, and Nick Grimshaw and niece Liv.
Meanwhile, the newcomers are Gladiators stars Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Nitro) and Matt Morsia (Legend), Strictly professionals Amy Dowden and Carlos Gum, YouTubers George Clarke and Max Balegde, Comedian Julian Clary and actor Nigel Havers, and TV personality Olivia Attwood and her mum Jennifer.
