LOOK WHO’S GOGGLING!

Celebrity Gogglebox is back. All the fun of the original – plus a peek inside the homes of stars like Denise Van Outen

We’re all couch potatoes now – and thank goodness. Just what would we have done for the past couple of months throughout lockdown without the saving grace of the small screen?

It’s not only served up endless diversions to help while away the hours, but also provided something to talk about in those moments when the conversation dries up with our loved ones.

All of which adds an extra cachet of renewed topicality for the return of Celebrity Gogglebox. The original version of the show was already addictive, but the addition of a few

CELEBRITY GOGGLEBOX Friday, Channel 4, 9pm

famous faces last year (in a full series after earlier charity specials) gave us the chance to eavesdrop on the sofa chat of celebrities and take a sneaky peek at their home fixtures and fittings.

TV and musicals star Denise Van Outen and partner Eddie Boxshall, pictured above, appeared in the first Celebrity Gogglebox and enjoyed their sofa chat so much they are back for more in the new seven-part run.

Among the clutch of fresh names, none has more promise for rich entertainment than football legend and I’m A Celebrity king Harry Redknapp, in the company of his wife Sandra. Expect Premier League-quality banter and all the no-holds-barred fearless exchange of views that only a couple who’ve been married for more than 50 years can share.

Also ready to battle it out for possession of the remote control are former Olympic boxer Nicola Adams and her partner, beauty blogger Ella Baig, while Radio 2 star Zoe Ball is relieved to have her teenage son Woody Cook – finalist in Channel 4 reality show The Circle – back home alongside her after he was trapped in New Zealand at the start of the pandemic.

Plus, we can listen and look on as Love Island presenter Laura Whitmore swaps sweet nothings – or barbed comments – with fiancé

Iain Stirling, the comedian familiar to millions of viewers as the voice of the ITV2 couples’ competition. Laura’s already laid down the law, posting a picture of the two of them on Instagram saying ‘I’m in charge of the remote,’ with her man sitting long-faced beside her on the sofa.

Also returning from the first series is BBC Radio 1 motormouth Nick Grimshaw and his niece Liv; plus irrepressibly extrovert reality show couple Stacey Solomon and Joe Swash.

So if you’re running thin on your own chat, don’t worry: Friday nights are now for hanging out with the stars – and you can leave them to do the talking.