Gogglebox star Tom Malone Jr has revealed some behind the scenes facts about filming the hit Channel 4 show this week and has given fans an insight into the casting process.
Tom Malone Jr – one 1/4 of fan-favourites The Malone family from Manchester, who have been cast members on the show since 2014 – has taken to Instagram to answer a number of fan questions about the popular reality series.
The questions lead him to revealing everything from how casting is completed, to whether it’s a struggle to “act normal” when the cameras start rolling.
If you’re unfamiliar with the show, it’s an interesting but simple premise – inspired by the iconic Mancunian sitcom The Royle Family – where different groups of friends and families offer their opinions on the TV shows from the previous week.
Gogglebox is a show that has undoubtedly made stars out of all its longstanding cast members, so it’s no wonder people want in on the action.
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It’s been reported in the past that the show’s stars get free takeaways to tuck into while they watch all the different TV shows, and each household is paid an estimated £1,500 a month too, but when it comes to the all important casting process for the show though, how does it work?
Can you apply?
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Channel 4 / Gogglebox
Although we’d love to give you a more straightforward answer to the above questions, Tom Jr actually revealed that there is no specific way to sign up for the show.
He said: “You can’t actually sign up for Gogglebox, they have to find you so they have a whole team of people that go out looking for new cast members, like going in pubs and speaking to people, ringing up businesses and asking who’d be good for it so there’s no way to sign up.”
So, whilst it might not be as simple as sending an application off and keeping your fingers crossed, the good news is that it’s still not exactly a closed door either.
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Tom Jr also revealed a few other insights to fans, including the all-important question of whether or not the ever-changing selection of cakes that are always in shot when the Malones appear on camera are real and yes, they absolutely are.
He said: “Yeah those are real cakes, they’re not props – it’s not a set, it’s my mum and dad’s house.
“There’s nothing fake or props or anything like that.”
Another fan asked if it was “weird to act normal” while the cameras are rolling, to which Tom answered: “No, it’s not weird at all to act normal when the cameras are on because we’re all really close with the crew. The cameras are that small that you don’t really notice they’re there and there’s no one in the room with us, so it’s just normal really.”
He also confirmed that Gogglebox will return to our screens on 11th September and added that “it’ll be good to start again.”
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Tickets officially go on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Tickets have now officially gone on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester.
Arriving on screens from 18 December and gearing up to be one of the most anticipated films of the year, Dune: Part Three – which is the third and final instalment in director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise – will be screening in IMAX 70mm at Vue Manchester Printworks, one of only three venues to show it in this format nationwide.
There are only 40 other venues across the globe showing the film in IMAX 70mm, and Manchester is the only city outside of London to screen the blockbuster this way too.
Based on the novels of Frank Herbert and set nearly two decades after the previous film, Dune: Part Three features an ensemble cast of all-star names led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
Alongside them will be Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Pattinson, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin.
After seats for a special early screening of the film in IMAX sold out in less than 30 minutes last month, the IMAX 70mm showings – which officially went live today (20 October) – are expected to be snapped up fast by film fans in Manchester.
“A decade in the making, Denis Villeneuve’s epic Dune trilogy is reaching its dramatic conclusion this December,” explained Dean Cross, who is the Senior Screen Content Manager at Vue.
“As the only venue outside of London to be screening Dune: Part Three in IMAX 70mm, it’s a privilege for us to offer this unique way to experience the film.”
Dune: Part Three is coming to Vue Manchester Printworks on 18 December, and you can book your tickets here.
Featured Image – Warner Bros.
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Free pints and live craft experiences coming to a Manchester pub for one night only
Daisy Jackson
A pop-up pub takeover is opening its doors in Manchester, where you can get your hands on a free pint as well as some amazing craft experiences.
The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti, who want to help us Brits break out of our daily routines.
Matt & Phreds on Tib Street will welcome The Uncommon Inn on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm to 8pm, giving visitors the chance to discover unusual creative skills and watch artisans at work, with a free pint in hand.
It comes after research commissioned by Poretti found that 61% of UK adults feel they are living on autopilot, while a quarter have not tried a new creative pursuit in five years or more.
Free pints and live craft experiences are coming to a Manchester pub for one night only / Credit: Supplied
The study also found that adults have an average of just 90 minutes of genuine personal time each day, with 58% spending that time watching television and 35% scrolling through social media.
Exhaustion and financial constraints came out as the main barriers preventing people from trying new things.
The Uncommon Inn has been designed to offer an alternative, bringing together a collective of specialist makers to showcase their skills in a familiar pub setting.
Visitors to the Manchester event can watch Giulio Miglietta embroidering personalised beer mats, using a vintage Singer sewing machine dating back to the early 1900s, alongside live hand-engraving and bespoke jewellery-style crafting using recycled silver.
The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti / Credit: Supplied
Other demonstrations include 3D body-casting by sculptor Ami of Angelcasts and personalised, hand-engraved glassware from Leigh Calligraphy. Sabira of Sken Studios will also demonstrate how recycled silver can be turned into bespoke bottle openers.
Guests will be able to enjoy complimentary pints of Poretti while watching the makers at work.
Caitlin Maley, Senior Brand Manager at Poretti, said: “Modern life moves at an overwhelming pace, and it’s all too easy to fall into autopilot mode where routine replaces curiosity.
“We believe in celebrating intentional craft, rare skills, and authentic human connection – values that are at the core of our brewing heritage.
“We created The Uncommon Inn to turn an ordinary pub visit into an inspiring journey. By bringing together our Masters of Crafts, from chainstitch embroiderers to live engravers and musicians, we’re inviting pubgoers to slow down, pick up a new skill, and enjoy a pint crafted with genuine passion.”
The Uncommon Inn is at Matt & Phreds in Manchester on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm until 8pm.