BREAKING: Gogglebox welcomes its first member with Down syndrome as two new families are announced for series 28, leaving viewers talking.
Gogglebox has welcomed two new households for its latest series, including the show’s first cast member with Down’s syndrome.
Max, 33, is joining the Channel 4 favourite alongside his mum Sandy, 62, from north London, while brothers Steve, 44, and Mark, 46, will represent Newcastle as another new addition to the sofa.
Their arrival gives series 28 two very different family dynamics while also bringing a significant moment of representation to the long-running programme.
For Sandy, appearing alongside her son is about far more than simply becoming part of a popular television show.
She hopes viewers will get to know Max for his personality, humour and strong opinions rather than focusing solely on his disability.
“To have people see the superstar, who is my son, and realise that a person with a learning disability can be smart, opinionated and hilarious is very important for me,” she said.
Sandy described the opportunity to appear beside Max as “total magic.”
Max Wants to Show What Is Possible
Max is equally enthusiastic about joining the cast.
“I’m all about spreading the love and showing other learning-disabled people what we can achieve,” he said.
Television is already one of his biggest interests, which makes Gogglebox a natural fit.
According to Sandy, Max loves watching programmes and sharing his opinions, although he sometimes falls asleep midway through a show before quickly becoming engaged again when he wakes up.
He also believes he is funnier than his mum, while describing Sandy as his biggest supporter.
The pair will also be joined at home by their identical tabby cats, Boogie and Pilgrim, whose names were inspired by an Elton John song.
Their casting comes after several changes to the programme, with five new families having already joined Gogglebox during 2025.
Steve and Mark Bring Newcastle Energy
The second new household is made up of brothers Steve and Mark.
Steve has managed to keep his new television role secret from his friends and reportedly plans to let them discover the news simply by seeing him appear on screen.
For Mark, being selected for the programme still feels slightly surreal.
The brothers are already used to spending plenty of time together watching Newcastle United, although football often makes for a stressful viewing experience.
Gogglebox will now give them a very different reason to sit down together in front of the television.
Mark also joked that their mother had one immediate concern when she heard they might be joining the series.
“When I told our mam that we might be doing the show, the first thing she said was ‘please don’t swear,’” he recalled.
“I told her I can’t make that promise.”
That sense of family banter is expected to form a major part of their appearances.
Familiar Faces Also Return
While Max, Sandy, Steve and Mark are joining for the first time, a number of established favourites are back on the sofa.
Jenny and Lee will return, while siblings Sophie and Pete are also appearing again in the new series.
Gogglebox first launched in 2013 and has become one of Channel 4’s most recognisable entertainment formats by following ordinary families, couples and friends as they react to the week’s biggest television moments from their own homes.
The format has also produced spin-offs including Celebrity Gogglebox and Gogglesprogs, while The Royle Family star Craig Cash narrates the main programme.
Series 28 begins on Friday, September 4 at 9pm on Channel 4.
For the new cast members, the appeal appears to be simple: spending time with family, watching television and letting viewers see exactly who they are.
For Max and Sandy in particular, their debut also carries a broader message about visibility, confidence and what people with learning disabilities can achieve.
