Get to know Gogglebox BFFs Jenny and Lee

They're most certainly fan favourites!

Author: Alex Ross, Emma Dodds and Georgie HollandPublished 21st Aug 2023

Gogglebox fans are buzzing as series 22 returns on Friday 8th September, which will see the return of some true fan favourites as they sat down to watch some brilliant television. We've taken a look at some of our favourite cast members, and of course, that includes the hilarious Jenny and Lee!

Jenny and Lee are best pals on the show, and we love seeing their relationship. They obviously care about each other, but Lee doesn't half take the mick out of Jenny - and it's hilarious. Here's what we know about the Yorkshire duo.

Why were Jenny and Lee missing from Gogglebox?

Fans were left worried on Friday 6th May 2022, when Jenny and Lee were absent from the show.

Just days later at the BAFTA TV Awards, Lee told the Daily Star the reason for the pair's absence, revealing Jenny was in hospital for a small operation.

He said: "She is not very well, she is having an operation, a mini one, but she is recovering well though. She was invited but the appointment was in BAFTA week. You can't turn down an NHS operation down can you? But she is doing well."

Who are Jenny and Lee on Gogglebox?

Jenny Newby and Lee Riley are professional telly watchers on Gogglebox. Jenny celebrated her 67th birthday on 2nd June 2023, and Lee turns 55 on 8th September 2023.

Where are Jenny and Lee from?

Jenny and Lee are from Hull in East Yorkshire.

When did Jenny and Lee join Gogglebox?

Jenny and Lee have been part of the Gogglebox family since series four, joining in 2014.

How do Jenny and Lee on Gogglebox know each other?

Jenny and Lee are best pals, and have been for over 25 years after meeting in a pub where Jenny was landlady in 1994. Jenny told Ireland’s Big Issue magazine, "Lee was a customer at my pub, The Crown Inn in Paull. He became a regular in 1994 and used to come in pretty much every night with his partner and we were friends from the off. We’ve been best friends ever since."

Lee added, "I wish I’ve never gone in the pub – it cost me a fortune. When I first met her she had a perm and I can remember thinking, 'She needs a haircut'. We were firm friends immediately. I don’t think we’ve ever had an argument. We’re too placid to argue. She makes me laugh too much for me to ever fall out with her."

Are Jenny and Lee on Gogglebox married?

Not to each other! Jenny is married to husband Ray, who stays out of the limelight, and Lee recently celebrated his 26th anniversary with partner Steve after they'd self-isolated separately due to the global pandemic.

Do Jenny and Lee on Gogglebox live together?

Normally they don't, but after a number of Gogglebox viewers complained about the show not following social distancing rules, Jenny and Lee made fans aware they'd made the decision to move in together in May 2020.

Taking to Twitter at the time, Lee told fans: 'Well what can we say it’s Friday and it’s still on #Gogglebox Jenny and me watching together as we are both on lockdown TOGETHER friends with no benefits I may add! Hour of laughs stay safe stay well #StayHomeSavesLives'. (sic)

They even joked about their lockdown haircuts, taking to social media to give fans an update. Jenny and Lee shared a hilarious photo of themselves showing off their isolation hair, with Lee joking the best friends are 'blending into each other'.

Lee wrote: 'WEEK 8 in isolation. When you start blending into each other and Can't be bothered what you look like #Gogglebox Friday everyone hope you are all keeping well. An hour of light relief and laughter for you much love to you all.' (sic)

Now the pandemic is over, its safe to say Jenny and Lee are now not living together.

Jenny and Lee's throwback pictures

As all best pals do, Jenny and Lee are partial to taking the complete mick out of one another - of course, part of that includes sharing embarrassing photos on social media. After Lee uploaded a throwback picture of Jenny from the 80s, it's safe to say that fans were OBSESSED.

Sharing the gorgeous snap, showing Jenny with an 80s perm, to their shared Instagram account, Lee wrote: 'She’s going to go mad at me 🤣😂🤣😂 Jenny with the 80’S perm 😘x' (sic).

Jenny did get her own back on Lee, uploading a cheeky since-deleted snap of him as a young chap.

This isn't the first time we've seen a throwback pic of Jenny, with November 2020 offering up a gorgeous snap of the Gogglebox star, captioned: 'Who is this wow 😮 anybody recognise this gorgeous lovely woman ♥️😘#gogglebox'.

Check out the current Gogglebox cast below:

Ellie and Izzi Warner

Sisters Ellie and Izzi Warner from Leeds have also become fan favourites after first joining the show in 2015.


Izzi gave birth to a beautiful baby girl called Bessie Rose in early 2020, whilst Ellie recently announced she was expecting her first child with her boyfriend Nat.


In early 2022, Izzi also introduced fans to her brand new puppy called Cookie.


Ellie and Izzi took a break from Gogglebox during season 19, following Ellie's boyfriend Nat being left 'fighting for his life' after he was hit by a car during a night out in Leeds in March. Ellie later revealed on 13th May that her and sister Izzi would be returning to our screens that night, thanking fans for their well wishes.


Ellie and Izzi returned for series 23.

Pete and Sophie

Brother and sister duo Pete and Sophie Sandiford have become one of the most popular castings in Gogglebox history! The funny siblings first joined the cast in 2017.


It seems that comedy runs in the family for these two, with the recent revelation that the pair are related to none other than Paul Chuckle himself!


After getting married to his girlfriend Paige Yeomans, the pair welcomed their first child into the world in 2021, with little Jimmy already making an appearance on Gogglebox. In December 2022, Pete then confirmed Paige is pregnant with the couple's second child.


During series 21, Pete confirmed the birth of his second child, and the pair returned for series 23.

Jenny and Lee

Best friends Jenny and Lee are also back, they first joined the show on series 4 back in 2014! The pair have us in fits of giggles with their banter both on and off the show.


Jenny and Lee, who film the show from Lee's caravan in Hull, have been best friends for over 20 years and often delight fans by sharing throwback photos of each other.


In series 19, Jenny and Lee took a break from the show after Jenny underwent surgery for a minor illness. However, the pair were back for series 20 and have appeared on the show since.

The Malone family

The Malone family, made up of Tom, Julie, Tom Jnr and Shaun, are one of the most popular families with fans. They first joined the cast in 2014.


In February 2021, just one day before series 17, Tom Jr announced he'd quit the show.


In March 2021, Tom and Julie's daughter Vanessa joined the show! During series 20, the Malone family also introduced their brand new puppy. In October 2023, the family revealed the sad news that their beloved dog Dave had sadly passed away.

Abbie and Georgia

Durham girls Abbie and Georgia first joined the show back in 2018.


In 2022, just one month before series 19 hit our screens, Georgia announced she was expecting her first baby. After giving birth to a baby boy in July, baby Hugh James Newby appeared in series 20.

Dave and Shirley

Welsh couple Dave and Shirley, who have been married for over 40 years, first joined the show back in 2015.

The Siddiqui family

The Siddiqui family, made up of Umar, Baasit and their dad Sid, have become Gogglebox legends since joining the show back in series 1.


Brother Raza also occasionally makes an appearance on the show, but due to working away, he can't always commit to filming.

Giles and Mary

Gogglebox fans fell in love with Giles and his wife Mary when they joined the cast in 2015, mainly due to Giles' hilarious stories... Much to Mary's annoyance.

The Worthingtons

The Worthingtons, made up of Alison, her husband George and her daughter Helena, joined the cast in series 10. In 2019, Helena welcomed a baby boy called Edwin, and he's already made his debut.

Amira and Iqra

Amira and Iqra first joined the show back in 2017 with their other friend Amani, but now it's just the two of them leaving viewers in stitches with their comments.

Tremaine, Twaine and Tristan

Tremaine, Twaine and Tristan, brothers from Bristol, joined back in 2016, quickly becoming a big hit with viewers.

Simon and Jane

Joining the cast for series 18, Simon and his sister Jane appeared on the box for the first time on 22nd October 2021!


They were also back for series 20, 21 and 22, with the pair expected to return for series 23.

Ronnie and Annie

Joining the cast in November 2021 was Ronnie and his wife Annie!

Roisin and Joe

Unveiled as brand new cast members on Friday 25th February 2022, young couple Roisin and Joe are the first Scottish people to appear on the show since 2016!

Danielle and Daniella

Best friends Danielle and Daniella from Leeds joined the show during series 20 in 2022.

Elaine and Seb

Mother and son duo Elaine and Seb made their debut on the show during the opening episode of series 22 in September 2023. The pair are from Forest of Dean.

Jenny and Lee are back for series 22 of Gogglebox, which airs every Friday night on Channel 4.

Now read:

Gogglebox's Lee shares hilarious photo of Jenny asleep on the floor

Here's how much the stars of Gogglebox get paid

Gogglebox: All of the jobs the cast have away from the show

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