Gogglebox star's shocking exit: the real reason behind the departure

Virgin Radio

15 Aug 2024, 16:00

Gogglebox favourite reveals why he left the Channel 4 series after a decade of laughs and love.

Gogglebox fans were left gobsmacked when one of their favourite armchair critics, Stephen Webb, decided to call it quits after ten years on the beloved Channel 4 show.

The hairdresser, who first graced our screens in 2013, has finally spilled the beans on why he hung up his remote control.

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Stephen initially joined the show with Christopher Steed, later sharing his TV-watching duties with his mum, Pat Webb.

From 2019, he was joined by his now ex-husband, Daniel Lustig, until their departure in 2023.

The pair had announced their exit, saying: "the time is right to move on and explore other opportunities."

But now, Stephen has revealed a more personal reason for his departure.

"I thought, 'I just can’t go back, I’m sick of it,'" he confessed.

"I got to the 10th anniversary of Gogglebox. I started feeling like Ken Barlow… there from day one."

Stephen's candidness didn't stop there. He admitted: "I was churning out the same old s***. I’d say to the guys, 'Sorry, you’ll have heard this 10 times before…'. I don’t know why they’ve not cottoned on.

"When I shoved the doughnut in my mouth and swallowed… I must have done that four times. It made it on every time," he told The Mirror.

The Gogglebox veteran also shared that the loss of both his parents this year played a significant role in his decision to leave.

Seeking new challenges, Stephen is set to appear on the upcoming season of Celebs Go Dating.

In a twist worthy of a Gogglebox reaction, the show will reportedly reunite him on screen with his ex-husband, Daniel, for the first time since their split.

Six months after leaving Gogglebox, Stephen and Daniel announced their separation after six years of marriage.

They shared that while there would "always be a lot of love" between them, they had "grown apart and made the decision to part ways."

Just a month later, Stephen was revealed to be part of the cast of Celebs Go Dating, joining the likes of Helen Flanagan, MAFS' Ella Morgan, Love Island’s Chris Taylor, Made in Chelsea’s Tristan Phipps, and Hollyoaks actress Jamelia.

A source told The Sun that the former couple "have remained good friends despite their breakup."

They added: "They’ve got a really open and honest relationship and were happy to share their experiences with the Celebs Go Dating team."

So, while Stephen may no longer be gracing our screens with his witty Gogglebox commentary, fans can look forward to seeing him navigate the dating world with his trademark humour and honesty.