Gogglebox UK is welcoming its first cast member with Down’s syndrome as two new families join the hit programme on Friday.
The newest additions include football-obsessed Newcastle brothers Steve and Mark, as well as London-based Sandy and her TV fanatic son Max, who is the first person with Down’s syndrome to feature on the show.
Sandy, 62, said it will be ‘total magic’ to appear on the show alongside her son and said it’s important to provide a positive representation of his disability.
‘To have people see the superstar, who is my son, and realise that a person with a learning disability can be smart, opinionated and hilarious is very important for me,’ she said.
Max said: ‘I’m much funnier than my mum, so that’s good. I’m all about spreading the love and showing other learning-disabled people what we can achieve. And my mum is my greatest supporter.’
The 33-year-old also joked that his opinion is ‘very important’ and said he looks forward to ‘watching TV and letting people know what I think about it’.
Despite having strong views about the telly, Max admits that he falls asleep while watching shows sometimes.
Sandy laughed: ‘He has a knack for falling asleep for a few minutes, then waking up fully engaged with what’s on and having a strong opinion! It’s very funny to watch.’
Max and Sandy will be joined by their identical twin tabby cats called Boogie and Pilgrim, named after an Elton John song.
Fellow newcomer Mark, 46, said it was surreal to be joining the hit show alongside his brother.
The brothers, from Newcastle, both joked that they were warned ‘not to swear too much’ when they told their families about their new roles.
Mark said: ‘Everyone’s absolutely stoked. When I told our mam that we might be doing the show, the first thing she said was ‘please don’t swear’. I told her I can’t make that promise.
‘I’ve not told my friends yet. I think waiting for them to read or see me on the TV will be a better surprise.’
The 44-year-old also said he looks forward to spending time with his brother outside the ‘usual stress’ of watching Newcastle United together.
The new cast members will make their debut on series 28 of Gogglebox, which will air on Channel 4 on Friday at 9pm.