US diplomats learn our ways...from Gogglebox

IT HAS become essential viewing for millions – now Gogglebox is also being used as an unofficial training tool for diplomats posted to the UK.

Staff at the US embassy in London have been advised to watch the Channel 4 show to get a better understanding of the country as well as the humour, accents and attitudes of real-life British people.

Embassy spokesman Aaron Snipe revealed he is a fan of the show, in which regular viewers comment on the week’s TV from their sofas. The 50-year-old is especially fond of the Worthingtons from Manchester – George, Alison and daughter Helena. ‘If I had to sit on any couch it would be theirs,’ he said. ‘Such warmth, and Helena says such irreverent things in front of her parents.

‘It’s appealing to the American eye because you can see people on this show are very different from one another geographically, ethnically, religiously. But they all seem to see the same thing. Like when the Queen passed, everyone feels the same.’

One key appeal for the diplomats is to hear voices and views from outside the capital, particularly during the pandemic. Clay Crawford, a 49-year-old doctor at the embassy, said: ‘You got a little bit of the sense of wit and humour and accents.’

Angela Stubblefield, 51, of the US Federal Aviation Administration at the embassy, revealed her favourites were Blackpool siblings Pete and Sophie Sandiford. ‘The show is poignant, charming, hilarious,’ she said. ‘Also the slang and idioms are helpful to know. If someone throws something in, you don’t want to be the dumb American who has to ask what it means.’

Gogglebox creator Stephen Lambert said he could not think of a better way for people to understand the UK, saying: ‘It’s an amazing way of reflecting what we as a country are thinking and feeling each week.’