Gogglebox star Calum has quit the Channel 4 show after deciding to emigrate to Australia with his partner. The 31-year-old joined the programme last September alongside his best friend Jake, 27, and the pair quickly became one of its most popular pairings.
Calum will be replaced on the sofa by newcomer Louis, 28, who is a childhood friend of Jake's.
Announcing his exit, Calum said he was "very far away from Scotland right now" because he and his partner had moved to Australia, which meant he was "unfortunately" leaving the show. He said it had been "the most wonderful time" and that he could not "sing the praises enough of everyone on and off camera, the entire Gogglebox family," adding that it was "very bittersweet to be leaving."
Calum said he and Jake remained "wonderful pals" and that they had asked Louis to keep Jake company on the sofa "as he gets a bit lonely sometimes." He told viewers they were "in very good hands with the two of them" and said he was "very, very proud to have been part of the Gogglebox family," but would now be watching "alongside all of you from my sofa in Australia."
Meet Louis, Jake's new sofa partner
Louis said Gogglebox had "always been a bit of a comfort show" for him, so when the chance came up to join one of his best mates on the sofa, he thought "why not!" He said he was most looking forward to "sitting down together, having a laugh and doing what we do anyway."
Gogglebox has run on Channel 4 since 2013 and features households across Britain watching and reacting to the week's television, often producing viral moments through the unscripted chemistry between its regular cast pairings.
New households join series 28
The changes come as Gogglebox continues series 28, which kicked off last week with two new households. They are Newcastle brothers Steve and Mark, and London mother and son Sandy and Max.
Max is the first person with Down syndrome to feature on the show. He said he was "much funnier" than his mum, adding: "I'm all about spreading the love and showing other learning-disabled people what we can achieve. And my mum is my greatest supporter."
Sandy said having people see her son as "the superstar" he is, and realise that a person with a learning disability can be "smart, opinionated and hilarious," was very important to her.
Recent award win
The cast changes follow a strong week for the programme, which won the Factual Entertainment prize at the National Television Awards.
