Our box of delights

Gyles Brandreth and Dame Maureen Lipman on TV and friendship…

- VICTORIA WILSON

CELEBRITY GOGGLEBOX NEW FRIDAY / C4 / 9PM / EP 1 of 8 / ENTERTAINMENT

Dame Maureen Lipman and Gyles Brandreth have known each other for almost half a century, and they’re pleased that their friendship is proving popular with fans of C4’s spin-off series Celebrity Gogglebox, which returns for a third outing this week.

Here, in an exclusive interview, Dame Maureen, 75, and Gyles, 73, chat to TV Times about the secrets to their perfect partnership, pop culture and pizza…

What originally made you sign up for this show?

DAME MAUREEN I knew Gyles and I would have a laugh. What works is that we’re both very opinionated; I love an opportunity to sound off about anything!

Gyles and I have a similar take on things. He is much more benign than I am; he takes all my teasing very well. We have a kind of journalistic mind, so we’re quick and then forget it. I admire him and we really get on. I truly didn’t think I’d be asked back for another series, but something about the truthful nature of our friendship must have come through.