Gogglebox star reveals how the show is filmed in behind-the-scenes glimpse
A Gogglebox star has shared a rare behind-the-scenes clip showing how the hit Channel 4 programme is really filmed.
Comedian Mel Owen gave Gogglebox fans a sneak peek of the filming set-up on TikTok, as she gets set to star in the show's Christmas special.
The video immediately attracted attention from TV fans, who had plenty of questions about the filming situation.
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Mel showed all of the different equipment in her home in Wales, including plenty of cameras.
All different angles of her living room had been covered, with lights set up to help capture the perfect shot.
Taking to the comments, fans of the Channel 4 show quizzed Mel over the reality of filming Gogglebox as many wondered how authentic the programme really is.
"Do you have to set it up and dismantle it yourselves?" one person asked, to which Mel responded: "No, a fab team come over to set it all up!"
Another wondered whether the crew are always around, asking: "Do the people who set it up stay whilst you watch the programmes? Also, is everything you watch on like a 'dvd' so it's not actual live TV but they chose what you watch? This is so interesting."
Mel revealed that while the team remain in her home, they aren't in the same room.
"They’re in another room so it’s not too intense. The team choose what we watch so that everyone is reacting to the same shows. It’s so clever how it’s done so that it’s nice and natural!" she revealed.
The comedian, who will star in Gogglebox's Christmas Special on 24 December, also revealed that stars of the show are provided with a specific TV.
"It’s so that everyone’s eye lines are consistent," she explained to a confused fan on TikTok.
Fans of Gogglebox have long been intrigued about the process of filming the show.
It's been revealed that the cast is filmed for two to three hours per week, with some sittings lasting up to six hours.
Each family on the show receive a monthly allowance of £1,500 (around £18,000 per year), but the majority of the cast have full-time jobs away from the show. The stars are also given a takeaway allowance to enjoy while filming,
Wondering how you can get yourself on Gogglebox? Well, the process isn't as simple as applying, Gogglebox producer Tania Alexander previously revealed.
Asked about the casting process, she told Vice: "First and foremost, we didn't want people who wanted to be on telly. I wanted to have to persuade people to do it, because people who want to be on telly tend to try too hard.
"I sent casting teams around the UK and we went into hairdressers and shops on high streets and hung out in markets. There wasn't any game plan, I just wanted teams on the ground, looking for interesting people to take part."
Danni King