'˜We're a bit different!' Meet the Peterborough family who feature on Channel 4 show Gogglebox

Imagine sitting down to watch TV and having someone film everything that you say or do.
The McCormicksThe McCormicks
The McCormicks

That is the reality for the McCormick family who feature in the popular Channel 4 show Gogglebox on Fridays at 9pm.

Twitter has given TV addicts a place to share their observations - funny or cruel - to a wider audience, but few enjoy the same influence as Scott (42) Georgia (39) and Isaac (14).

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The Peterborough family are one of several households who are given programmes to watch by Gogglebox producers, and their reactions to the shows are then broadcast for the viewing of, ironically, other people sitting at home.

Yet remarkably, a TV show about people watching TV has caught on and thrust the McCormicks into the national spotlight, in particular Isaac who two years ago suddenly developed Tourette’s syndrome, a neurological condition which causes repetitive and involuntary movements and sounds (including swear words) which are called tics.

And it was partly the desire to spread awareness of the condition which convinced the family to go on Gogglebox after being approached by Jessica Thom, co-founder of the project Touretteshero, who was apparently contacted by representatives of the show.

Hairdressing tutor Georgia said: “For me, it’s dealing with the public’s understanding of Tourette’s. More and more people know about it which can only be a good thing.

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“We thought the show would be a bit of fun. We’re a bit different as a family, a little bit bonkers.”

Scott, an aeronautical engineer who spent 22 years in the RAF, said: “Everyone has been really nice and the show’s been really well received by the media and public.”

Guitar-loving Isaac, who enjoys the show First Dates, suddenly began having his tics one day at school. He said: “It was a little bit difficult. All of a sudden I was saying all these things, and for someone who is not overly confident this pushed me into the limelight.”

The McCormicks - who have a second son called Archie (9), a labrador called Lola (4) and a St. Bernard called John (2) - started with Gogglebox at the turn of the year.

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They are told what programmes to watch then sit and enjoy them in peace before the editing begins. Scott said: “Some programmes are pre-recorded or you get ones which are very current. They edit it very carefully. Some of it you’ve thought is brilliant but is not in the show.”

The family have been recognised when out and a couple of people have even knocked on their door, a reason why the family will only say they live in a village near Peterborough. Georgia added: “We are a normal family so it’s been quite weird when people say hello.

“It’s nice and lovely but really bizarre.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind, but it seems to be going really well and it’s great fun. We adore TV and like to watch anything and everything.”