Gogglebox's Sophie Leaves Debenhams 'With A Smile' After Losing Job Following Closure

Gogglebox star Sophie Sandiford has taken to Instagram to vow she will be leaving her job at Debenhams with a smile on her face:

After it was announced that the department store chain had fallen into administration - putting 12,000 jobs at risk - Sophie wrote: "We might be going but we are going with a smile #debenhams".

Many people replied to her story with one writing: "Feel so sad for everyone losing their jobs, stay strong."

Another added: "Aw, so sad for you but you are fabulous and something bigger and better is waiting for you! Lots of love."

A third commented: "Sorry to hear that, sure you and your brother will have your own TV show soon.. you'll be sorted."

Another follower said: "Let's make this a good Christmas, I'm a Debenhams colleague too!"

Channel 4

This comes not long after Sophie broke down in tears as she and her big brother, co-star Pete, watched Boris Johnson's announcement on the second coronavirus lockdown.

As the lockdown measures (which lifted today, Wednesday 2 December) were initially announced, Sophie was worried about losing her job. When Pete asked: "What do they class as non-essential shops?" Sophie replied: "If you don't sell food, it's just like last time. So my work will shut."

When Pete realised his little sister was crying and asked if she was ok, she responded: "It's just sad, isn't it? It's just s*** for everybody, it's going to get even worse.

"More people are going to lose their jobs and things like that, it's just awful."

Channel 4

Yesterday the news broke that Debenhams is set to close after parent company Arcadia went into administration.

All 124 Debenhams are expected to close, meaning all 12,000 employees are likely to lose their jobs.

The 242-year-old retailer had cut 6,500 jobs since May as it struggled to stay afloat.

Former Debenhams chairman Sir Ian Cheshire told BBC News that he felt 'desperately sorry' for the affected employees, stating that Debenhams had been 'caught in a straitjacket' with too many high street stores on lengthy leases.

Sir Ian explained: "You've got to be so much faster and so much more online," adding that Debenhams would have been better off operating with an approximate 70 stores rather than 124.

Topics: Entertainment, TV and Film, gogglebox

Rebecca Shepherd

I'm Becky - a journalist at LADbible. I graduated with a First Class BA in Journalism before going on to cover criminal court cases, medical tribunals and breaking news for the national media - which inevitably and eventually became as glum as it sounds. Can often be found rocking a bag for life - which I made a 'thing' way before Rihanna. You can contact me at [email protected]

@RJShepherd94