Gogglebox is Friday night TV viewing at its finest.
The award-winning Channel 4 show became a hit with audiences after it first aired back in March 2013 with it’s simple but interesting premise – inspired by the iconic Mancunian sitcom The Royle Family – that sees different groups of friends and families offer their opinions on the TV shows from the previous week.
And it’s been cracking us up ever since.
It’s a show that has undoubtedly made stars out of all its longstanding cast members, so it’s no wonder that these ‘characters’ have provided us with, not only some of the most hilarious moments in the history of the show, but probably some of the single greatest moments in British TV of all time too.
So, in what is sadly a turbulent time in a year of doom and gloom for Greater Manchester, we couldn’t think of a better opportunity to run through some of the best bits from over the years.
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We could all do with a proper good chuckle right now, couldn’t we?
We’re starting off the list strong here with what is undoubtedly one of Gogglebox’s most quoted comebacks of all time, courtesy of none other than fan-favourite original cast members Chris and Stephen.
It’s hard to call this iconic Jenny and Lee exchange anything other than what it truly is. And what it is, is one of the greatest moments in TV history.
Dave the dog – arguably one of the best Malone family members – has had his fair share of iconic moments over the past seven years, but this might just be his shining moment.
You’re not a knobhead Dave, we love you.
“The dog kicked me”
While we’re on the topic of legendary Gogglebox dog moments, it would be a crime to leave out what is probably the most memorable canine catastrophe of all.
Revered Kate and Graham were never seen without a cuppa in their hands.
No, who are we kidding, if he didn’t hoover Grandma we’ve wouldn’t have been treated to this gem from the current series that’s already going down as one of the show’s best belly-laugh moments.
Un-planned moments of gold like this are what really makes the show.
It’s the collective moment when they all realise what it is that she’s really just said that makes this classic Michael family scene one we’ll never tire of watching.
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“I told you not to touch it”
Just iconic.
“OH MY GOD”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QS0zU7d7QJc
Amy Tapper came to be known for her screaming and shouting over the 11 series she appeared on.
But this particular raised voice moment scared the absolute life out of her Dad and for that reason, it will always be one of her most memorable.
We could quite honestly make up an entire list featuring iconic moments of the late and great Leon and June Bernicoff, but it’s the innocence of this clip that just sums up why they will always have a special place in the hearts of the nation.
Probably Scarlett’s harshest put down of them all, but she’s not wrong.
… and finally
We couldn’t possibly let a list of Gogglebox best bits go by without including national treasures and everyone’s favourite Welsh nans Mary and Marina, so here is a collection of some of their finest moments over the past few years to end on.
The fact they don’t know just how funny they are is precisely what makes them so funny.
With all the cracking characters that’ve graced our television screens over the years, we just know there’s some real gems that we’ve missed off here, so what other iconic Gogglebox moments would you add to the list?
Let us know.
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Manc born and bred rugby star Raffi Quirke is leaving Sale Sharks
Danny Jones
Manchester-born and bred rugby union star Raffi Quirke is leaving his boyhood club, Sale Sharks, this season.
The end of an era, but the beginning of a big new chapter for the youngster.
Still just 24, Raffi Quirke from Chorlton has been with Sale since he was a kid, coming through the youth system at Broughton Park before making his proper Sharks debut back in February 2021.
Just a few short years later, and Quirke – the number nine who became Sharks Academy graduate number 333 – has gone on to become a promising first team squad member with a bright future ahead of him. However, the next part of his career won’t be at the CorpAcq Stadium.
Since playing his first senior game as a 19-year-old, he’s gone on to make 31 starts from 80 appearances for the club, as well as earning a couple of caps for England.
Despite being more of an option off the bench during the current campaign, Quirke has shown great resilience in bouncing back from numerous injuries, including everything from a broken jaw and broken wrist to ruptured ligaments, among other problems.
Speaking about his pending departure, Raffi said: “This has been the hardest decision of my life so far because Sale is the club that I grew up supporting and dreaming of playing for.
“Playing here since I was 15 has been an amazing experience and a privilege that has shaped me as a player and a person, and I will be forever grateful to Alex [Sanderson], the owners, the coaches, the players and the supporters for truly believing in me.
“It goes without saying that I will give everything I have for the rest of the season to bring success to Sale.” He has also gone on to share a lengthier farewell statement.
"This has been the hardest decision of my life so far…"
Put simply, the still-developing scrum-half wants to search out new opportunities, adding: “I feel, for my rugby and personal development, that my story just needs a new challenge and a new setting.”
As for Sanderson, the Director of Rugby commented, “I’ve really enjoyed working with Raffi, and as a homegrown player who grew up supporting the club, we all would have loved for him to continue his career with us.
“He feels like he wants to try a new environment and a new challenge, and we respect his decision. He’ll leave with our blessing and thanks for everything that he’s given to the club while he’s been here.”
Madison Beer announces massive Manchester show at Co-op Live arena
Danny Jones
Yes, not long after a breakout period in her career, rising pop star Madison Beer has announced an extensive series of arena shows, including one right here in Manchester at Co-op Live.
Heading to major cities in mainland Europe before arriving here in the UK for just a pair of British shows and then moving on to North America, the 26-year-old singer-songwriter has gone from playing small rooms just a few short years ago to now playing some of the biggest rooms an artist could hope for.
Madison Beer got her first taste of fame after Justin Bieber shared her YouTube cover of Etta James’ ‘At Last’ way back in 2012, but it’s been quite the journey for the New York-born vocalist over the past decade or so.
Announcing the new tour in support of her third studio LP, Locket, which is scheduledfor release later this week (16 January), Beer will be coming to Manchester in late spring.
Confirming the concert themeslves, the venue wrote: “Two-time GRAMMY-nominated, platinum-selling artist Madison Beer is heading to Co-op Live with the locket tour.
“This tour marks the first time her forthcoming new album, locket [stylised in all lowercase] will be played live for the masses.”
Best known for tracks like ‘Selfish’, ‘make you mine’, as well as her most recent singles ‘yes baby’ and bittersweet’, she has hundreds of millions of followers all over the world and across her Instagram and TikTok platforms alone.
With that in mind, booking a room as big as Co-op Live was only a matter of time, really.
Madison will be arriving in Manchester on 31 May and bringing along a trio of rotating support acts with her on the road.
As you can see, Cuban-American alt-pop singer Isabel LaRosa will be joining her fellow contemporaries on stage later this year.
Just 21 years old, she might be a few years behind Beer, but she still has a passionate cult following of her own, even at such a young age.
The pre-sale window for Madison Beer’s Manchester gig at Co-op Live will be available to official members from 10am on Monday, 19 January, or by signing up/pre-ordering via her mailing list.
As for general admission, tickets will go live at the same time the following Wednesday (21 Jan). You can get ready to grab yours HERE.
It really is a great time for pop music once again – so much so that even themed nights centred entirely around smash-hit albums are being put on…
Emily Sergeant -
22nd October 2020 
