Gogglebox cast’s tragic health battles from six months to live to ‘awful’ condition (Image: Channel 4)
Several Gogglebox personalities have confronted devastating health challenges over the years. Since the cherished Channel 4 programme launched back in 2013, viewers have been introduced to numerous memorable households across Britain.
From Wiltshire’s Giles Wood and Mary K!llen and Derby’s Siddiqui clan to Hull best friends Jenny Newby and Lee Riley, the programme’s participants consistently delight audiences with their witty remarks and amusing commentary on television’s latest offerings.
Nevertheless, a number of the show’s personalities are battling serious health conditions and have candidly discussed their ordeals. Some of the cast members who have endured health struggles include Sue Sheehan, Tremaine Plummer, Jenny Newby, among others, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Sue spoke about Bell’s Palsy on the show(Image: Channel 4)
Sue Sheehan disclosed last year that she was dealing with Bell’s Palsy, which has impacted her ability to communicate properly.
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The South London resident – who became part of the programme in 2019 alongside husband Steve – discussed her condition during a Gogglebox episode.
“I mean, I’ve had to relearn to do a couple of things since this Bell’s palsy,” she explained. Sue continued: “One is to speak through the side of my mouth, and the other one is chewing. Chewing takes a long time.”
Steve responded: “I have offered to chew your food for you, but you declined.” Sue then retorted: “I’m not having that.”
Steve added: “I’ve got to say, you haven’t lost the sharp side of your tongue though, have you?” She quipped: “No, it’s sharper than ever actually.”
Tremaine’s cancer battle
Tremaine previously battled cancer(Image: Gogglebox)
In 2020, Tremaine Plummer – who became part of Gogglebox in 2016 alongside his brothers – marked five years of being cancer-free following his battle with bowel cancer.
Sharing a photograph of himself in a hospital bed, he posted on Instagram: “When I first saw this photo it made me feel sick and weak. I hated this photo for a long time. But now this photo is my medal. This was me five years ago. Post surgery for bowel cancer.
“One of the worst things that could have happened to me has turned into one of the best. Not everything bad that happens to you is the end. Out of some bad s*** comes good s***. The entire experience has been an eye opener and I view life totally different now. Stay strong.”
Jenny’s ‘awful’ condition
Jenny said her arthritis has had a huge impact on her(Image: Channel 4)
Gogglebox regular Jenny Newby became part of the programme in 2014 alongside her best friend Lee Riley. Yet in 2018, Jenny disclosed she had been struggling with arthritis.
Prior to viewing an advertisement created by the charity Versus Arthritis, Jenny admitted she suffered from the condition, stating: “I’ve got arthritis.”
She went on to say: “I get more stressed now because I can’t fasten my coat. I can’t open a tin of beans and I’ve got to ask somebody. And that I think is the worst, when I have got to ask somebody because I feel like I am stupid.”
In a statement following the advert, Jenny said: “I’ve suffered with arthritis for a while now. I think something people don’t realise is the impact the condition has on simple everyday life. I really do think we should change that by being able to talk about it openly. It’s really important to me.”
The passing of Pete due to cancer
Pete sadly d!ed a few years ago(Image: Channel 4)
In 2021, Gogglebox star Pete McGarry tragically d!ed from bowel cancer at the age of 71. He joined the show alongside his wife Linda in 2013.
Speaking about his d3ath at the time, Linda revealed that Pete was told he had six months to live, but sadly d!ed just days later.
Mary’s near-d3ath experience
Mary contracted a deadly infection(Image: Channel 4)
Giles Wood and Mary K!llen have been part of Gogglebox since 2015. However, Mary once had a brush with d3ath.
In an interview with The Guardian, Mary shared: “The closest I’ve come to d3ath was contracting Legionnaires’ disease in 1999.”
She further explained the terrifying ordeal, stating: “I caught it from air conditioning in the Bahamas and developed something called Beau’s lines: white ridges across the fingernails which are a sign that your body’s shutting down for d3ath.”
Having survived the incident, she confessed: “It knocked the stuffing out of me. I’ve never been quite the same since.”
