UNBELIEVABLE! Gogglebox star leaves the show; replacement revealed, leaving viewers surprised.
Gogglebox star Calum has confirmed he is leaving the Channel 4 favourite after moving to Australia with his partner, bringing his three-series run alongside best friend Jake to an end.
The 31-year-old joined the programme last September and quickly became familiar to viewers as one half of the Scottish duo. But with his life now taking him thousands of miles away from the sofa where he filmed the show, Calum has admitted he can no longer continue with his Gogglebox commitments.
His departure does not mean Jake will be watching television alone, however. Producers have already lined up a familiar face to take Calum’s place, with childhood friend Louis preparing to make his debut.
Confirming the reason behind his exit, Calum explained that he and his partner had relocated to Australia.
“I am very far away from Scotland right now, and that’s because me and my partner have moved to Australia,” he said.
The move inevitably meant a difficult decision about his future on the programme.
“Unfortunately I am leaving the show,” Calum confirmed, describing the departure as “very bittersweet”.
Calum Says Goodbye After Three Series
Looking back on his time as one of Channel 4’s armchair critics, Calum had nothing but praise for the people who helped make the show.
He said he had enjoyed “the most wonderful time” and thanked those both in front of and behind the cameras, describing them collectively as the Gogglebox family.
Although his partnership with Jake is ending on screen, Calum stressed that nothing has changed in their friendship.
“Jake and I are still wonderful pals,” he said.
That friendship helped shape the decision over who should replace him.
Calum revealed that he and Jake had asked their friend Louis to join the sofa, joking that somebody needed to keep Jake company because “he gets a bit lonely sometimes”.
He reassured viewers that the new pairing would be in “very good hands” and said he was proud of his own time on the programme.
Calum may now be on the other side of the world, but he still intends to keep watching.
“For now I will be watching alongside all of you from my sofa in Australia!!” he said.
Louis Prepares for His Gogglebox Debut
Louis, 28, is set to make his first appearance alongside Jake during Friday’s episode.
The newcomer said joining the show felt like a natural opportunity because he was already used to spending time with Jake in much the same way viewers will now see on television.
“Gogglebox has always been a bit of a comfort show for me,” Louis explained.
When the chance came to join one of his closest friends on the programme, he decided there was little reason to turn it down.
He said he was most excited about “sitting down together, having a laugh and doing what we do anyway”.
Louis has also already considered who he would most like to share the famous sofa with if given the chance.
As a fan of cooking programmes, his choice was Matt Tebbutt.
Louis said the presenter seemed like someone who would be good company, could teach him a few things and, most importantly, might be able to prepare something for them to eat afterwards.
While Louis admitted he is not particularly devoted to reality television, he does enjoy game shows, meaning viewers will soon discover exactly which programmes bring out his strongest reactions.
His arrival marks another change for Gogglebox as the programme continues introducing new faces while familiar favourites remain part of the line-up.
For Calum, the goodbye is clearly an emotional one, but there is no dramatic falling out behind his departure. A move to Australia has simply made continuing impossible.
And with one of his childhood friends stepping into his old spot beside Jake, the sofa will not stay empty for long.
