Several Gogglebox favourites have opened up about facing some truly difficult health battles.

The much-loved Channel 4 programme has been bringing us closer to numerous memorable households across Britain since it first aired back in 2013.

Whether it’s Giles Wood and Mary Killen down in Wiltshire, the Siddiqui clan from Derby, or beloved duo Jenny Newby and Lee Riley up in Hull, these telly personalities consistently have viewers in stitches with their witty remarks and amusing reactions to the week’s television offerings.

Yet behind the laughter, numerous cast members are dealing with some deeply challenging health conditions and have courageously shared their journeys with audiences, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Sue’s Bell’s Palsy battle

Sue Sheehan bravely disclosed last year that she was battling Bell’s Palsy, a condition that has significantly impacted her ability to communicate.

The South London resident – who became part of the programme in 2019 alongside her other half Steve – candidly discussed her condition whilst filming an episode of Gogglebox.

“I mean, I’ve had to relearn to do a couple of things since this Bell’s palsy,” she explained.

Sue continued: “One is to speak through the side of my mouth, and the other one is chewing. Chewing takes a long time.”

Steve responded: “I have offered to chew your food for you, but you declined.”

Sue then fired back: “I’m not having that.”

Steve added: “I’ve got to say, you haven’t lost the sharp side of your tongue though, have you?” She quipped: “No, it’s sharper than ever actually.”

Tremaine’s cancer fight In 2020, Tremaine Plummer – who became part of Gogglebox in 2016 alongside his brothers – marked five years of being cancer-free following his battle with bowel cancer.

Sharing a photograph of himself in a hospital bed, he posted on Instagram: “When I first saw this photo it made me feel sick and weak. I hated this photo for a long time. But now this photo is my medal. This was me 5 years ago. Post surgery for bowel cancer.

“One of the worst things that could have happened to me has turned into one of the best. Not everything bad that happens to you is the end. Out of some bad s*** comes good s***. The entire experience has been an eye opener and I view life totally different now. Stay strong.”

Jenny’s ‘dreadful’ condition.

Gogglebox star Jenny Newby became part of the programme in 2014 alongside her best friend Lee Riley. Yet in 2018, Jenny disclosed that she has been struggling with arthritis.

Prior to viewing an advertisement created by the charity Versus Arthritis, Jenny admitted she suffered from the condition, stating: “I’ve got arthritis.”

She went on to say: “I get more stressed now because I can’t fasten my coat. I can’t open a tin of beans and I’ve got to ask somebody. And that I think is the worst, when I have got to ask somebody because I feel like I am stupid.”

In a press statement following the advert, Jenny shared: “I’ve suffered with arthritis for a while now. I think something people don’t realise is the impact the condition has on simple everyday life. I really do think we should change that by being able to talk about it openly. It’s really important to me.”

The tragic passing of Pete.

In 2021, Gogglebox star Pete McGarry tragically passed away from bowel cancer at the age of 71. He had been a part of the show alongside his wife Linda since 2013.

Speaking about his death at the time, Linda revealed to The Sun that Pete was given six months to live, but sadly passed away just days later.

Linda told the publication: “Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years. I said to him, ‘We’ve not only been 25 years, it’s been day and night with each other.’ He was my life.”

Mary’s brush with death.

Giles Wood and Mary Killen have been regulars on Gogglebox since 2015. However, Mary once had a near-death experience.

In a chat with The Guardian, Mary revealed: “The closest I’ve come to death was contracting Legionnaires’ disease in 1999.”

She further detailed her terrifying ordeal, saying: “I caught it from air conditioning in the Bahamas and developed something called Beau’s lines: white ridges across the fingernails which are a sign that your body’s shutting down for death.”

Having survived the ordeal, she confessed: “It knocked the stuffing out of me. I’ve never been quite the same since.”