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All you need to know about Celebrity Gogglebox star Gyles Brandreth from career to his wife

The actor and former MP is appearing on the latest series of the Channel 4 show


gyles brandreth© Photo: Rex
Francesca Shillcock
Senior Features Writer
June 13, 2020
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Gogglebox is one of our favourite shows and now the celebrity version is back! The second series of the Channel 4 show that sees a number of well-known faces critique the week's TV began last week and has some old favourites and new faces to look forward to. Viewers have been enjoying seeing big names like Martin and Roman Kemp, Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford, comedians Mo Gilligan and Babatunde Aleshe, and many more. One of the faces returning to the celebrity version of the show is actors Gyles Brandreth alongside Maureen Lipman. Gyles has had a rather eclectic career, having acted in TV shows, written many books and serves as an MP. Want to know more about Gyles? Here's what we know…

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Who is Celebrity Gogglebox star Gyles Brandreth?

Gyles Brandreth is an actor, presenter, writer and former MP. He started his career in presenting on ITV, before appearing on popular shows such as Countdown. Gyles then moved into acting and his credits include Doctor Who, The IT Crowd and That Mitchell and Webb Look. He's been a regular on panel shows over the years including Have I Got News For You, The One Show and more. He's also done regular radio work since the start of his career, and now even has his own podcast. In the nineties, Gyles was a Conservative Member of Parliament representing the city of Chester, working under then-Prime Minister John Major. He stepped down from politics in 1992. Gyles has also written many books including one on the marriage of the Queen and Prince Phillip, and a historical fiction novel on the life of Oscar Wilde.

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gyles gogglebox© Photo: Channel 4

The comedian and writer is appearing on the latest series of Celebrity Gogglebox

Celebrity Gogglebox's Gyles Brandreth's wife and children

Gyles married his wife Michele Brown, who is a writer and publisher, in 1973 and the pair had three children together, Benet, Saethryd, and Aphra. His youngest, Aphra, followed in his footsteps to become a Conservative MP, but did not end up sitting in parliament.

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gyles brandreth wife© Photo: Rex

Gyles with his wife Michele

What has Gyles Brandreth said about celebrity gogglebox?

Despite being married to Michele for over 40 years, Gyles is not appearing on celebrity Gogglebox with his wife, but with friend and fellow actor Maureen Lipman. Maureen began her career working in the theatre, and has appeared in many shows and films over the years including Coronation Street, Carry On Columbus and Victoria Wood: As Seen On TV. On his stint on Celebrity Gogglebox, the actor and writer admitted they often forget they're being filmed. Speaking to Lorraine Kelly, he explained: "It's an amazing experience because they leave the cameras in the room, there's nobody else in the room, except me and Maureen two feet apart, and you get to watch and forget you're being filmed. And you watch hour after hour, some of the things we see, my goodness, we've certainly being moved out of comfort zone."

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