Gogglebox fans have praised the show for bringing a “sense of normalcy” following the Queen’s death as it returned for a new series on Friday.
The Channel 4 show was one of the only shows to air as normal as the nation continues to mourn the beloved monarch.
Instead, other channels have shown new coverage and tributes, but fans were relieved to see their favorite armchair commentators with one they said was “the comfort we all need”.
Glad it’s back – Gogglebox fans have praised the show for bringing a ‘sense of normalcy’ after the Queen’s death, as it returned for a new series on Friday (Pete and Sophie pictured on program)
Taking to Twitter, one viewer wrote: “So grateful to Channel 4 for showing Gogglebox tonight. As sad as the new one is, this is the comfort viewing we all need tonight.’
While another added: ‘Love love love Gogglebox, what a welcome relief after a bad day’ and another said of the show ‘We need something to cheer us up’.
More wrote: “I’m glad for some normalcy, I’ve been waiting for it all week” and “I’m so glad Gogglebox is back just for escapism.”
RIP: The Channel 4 show was one of the only shows to air as normal as the nation continued to mourn the beloved monarch
Earlier: The episode was filmed before the Queen’s sad passing as fans praised it for ‘the comfort we all need’ (Jenny and Lee pictured on show)
Another said: “So glad Channel 4 have decided to keep showing #Gogglebox tonight. A welcome break. A short distraction. I understand the need for continuous news coverage on other channels. And I’ve been watching a lot of it .But it’s nice to also have the option of something lighter to watch.’
And another commented: ‘Well, we need a little lift today’ and another agreed: ‘Thank God for that.’
Channel Four released a statement explaining its decision to air the program which was filmed before Her Majesty’s passing.
“Channel 4 exists to give viewers an alternative and that’s especially important at times like this.”
Relief: Instead, other channels have shown new coverage and tributes, but fans were relieved. Channel 4 decided otherwise with one viewer calling it “the comfort we all need”.
“Gogglebox is a much-loved national institution and will be broadcast as planned tonight bringing a valuable sense of continuity for many of our viewers.
It comes as Britain today mourns the death of its beloved monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. After a remarkable 70 years on the throne, the country’s longest-serving royal died “peacefully” yesterday, aged 96, in Balmoral, Scotland.
His death sparked a huge and immediate outpouring of emotion, with thousands of heartbroken mourners gathering outside the gates of Buckingham Palace and other royal buildings last night.
Normalcy: More wrote: “I’m glad for some normalcy, I’ve been waiting for it all week” and “I’m so glad Gogglebox is back just for escapism.”
Statement: Channel Four released a statement explaining its decision to air the show saying: “Channel 4 exists to offer viewers an alternative and that is particularly important at times like this.
At one point, a rendition of ‘God Save The Queen’ rang out among the mourners, followed by chants of ‘Long Live The King’.
Others laid flowers outside Windsor Castle, where the Queen had spent much of her time following the death of her beloved husband Prince Philip in April last year.
And in a sign of the Queen’s considerable influence and global appeal, royal fans laid flowers outside British embassies, including in Washington, Berlin and Oslo.
Members of the royal family rushed to be at the Queen’s bedside on Thursday but did not make it to Balmoral in time before she died, it is believed.
Couple: It comes as Britain today mourns the death of its beloved monarch Queen Elizabeth II (pictured with Prince Philip in 2011)
Rest in Peace: After a remarkable 70 years on the throne, the country’s longest-serving royal died “peacefully” yesterday, aged 96, at Balmoral in Scotland.
Only his eldest children, Prince Charles and Princess Anne, who were already in Scotland at the time of the monarch’s sudden U-turn, were able to reach the royal estate before his death, the sources said.
Prince Andrew, Prince Edward, his wife Sophie and Prince William flew from Berkshire on a private jet to Aberdeen on Thursday on their way to Balmoral to see her. But it is understood that they did not reach the farm before she passed.
Prince Harry, who was due to attend a charity event with his wife Meghan in London on Thursday, also tried to get to Balmoral on time. But it came at 8pm, almost an hour and a half after the public was told of the Queen’s death.
The Queen’s son Charles, the former Prince of Wales, is now King Charles III, while Prince William has inherited his father’s title and is now, together with his wife, called Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and Cambridge. William is also now the “heir apparent” to the British throne.
Tragedy: His death sparked an immediate and huge outcry, with thousands of mourners gathering outside the gates of Buckingham Palace on Thursday evening (pictured)
Announcement: Buckingham Palace announced the sad news of the Queen’s death on Thursday