Gogglebox Jenny and Lee Reveal Their Future After 11 Years – But Fans Are Gutted as Health Fears Cast Shadow Over Their Return
The pair joined the show over 10 years ago(Image: C4)
Gogglebox favourites Jenny Newby and Lee Riley have finally spoken about their future on the Channel 4 hit after more than a decade on screen – but the update has left fans both emotional and deeply concerned.
Jenny and Lee have issued a show update(Image: jennyandlee_gogglebox/Instagram)
The Hull-based best friends joined the long-running show back in 2014 and quickly became household favourites thanks to their sharp humour and heartfelt friendship. With over 869,000 followers on their joint Instagram account, the pair regularly keep fans updated on their lives off-screen.
On Thursday, December 23, Jenny and Lee shared a festive photo wearing Santa hats and raising a glass to the season. But it was the caption that truly caught fans’ attention.
“Wishing you all a very Happy Christmas and a fabulous New Year – cheers everyone, see you all in February. Much love, Jenny and Lee.”
While the message was warm, it revealed that viewers will have to wait longer than usual to see the pair return – a delay that comes amid growing concern over Jenny’s health.
Health battles behind the scenes
What’s wrong with Jenny from Gogglebox? Inside star’s health battle after hospitalisation(Image: c4)
Away from the laughter of the sofa, Jenny has been fighting a series of health struggles for years.
Back in 2018, she bravely revealed that she had been diagnosed with arthritis, admitting the condition had begun to impact even the smallest daily tasks.
“I get stressed because I can’t fasten my coat. I can’t open a tin of beans and I’ve got to ask somebody. That’s the worst part – having to ask, it makes me feel stupid,” she said at the time.
Jenny later added in a press release:
“People don’t realise how much arthritis affects everyday life. I really think we need to talk about it more openly.”
They joined the show over 10 years ago(Image: Channel 4)
In 2022, her health took another worrying turn when Lee revealed she had been admitted to hospital for an operation.
Speaking from the BAFTA red carpet, he said:
“She is not very well – she’s having an operation, a mini one, but she is recovering well. You can’t turn down an NHS operation, can you?”
He later confirmed the procedure was minor, but admitted she had been forced to miss major events and was watching from her hospital bed.
A month later, Jenny appeared on Instagram waving at the camera as Lee announced:
“You’ll never guess who I’ve just bumped into – she’s out of hospital!”
Fans fear the toll is catching up with her
enny has been open about her health(Image: Channel 4)
Those close to the star say her recent hospital stay left her exhausted.
Lee later admitted:
“The illness during her recent hospital stay completely drained her.”
It is this revelation, combined with the delayed return date, that has sparked an outpouring of concern from fans.
Thousands flooded their post with messages of love and support, including fellow Gogglebox stars Dave and Shirley Griffiths and siblings Simon and Jane Minty.
A friendship that began in 1994
She had to have an operation a few years ago(Image: Instagram/jennyandlee_gogglebox)
Jenny and Lee’s bond began more than 30 years ago when Lee walked into The Crown Inn in Paull – the pub where Jenny was landlady.
“We were friends from the off and we’ve been best friends ever since,” Jenny once recalled.
Lee joked:
“I wish I’d never gone in that pub – it cost me a fortune. She had a perm and I remember thinking she needed a haircut. But we were firm friends immediately.”
As fans brace themselves for their delayed return in February, many are left wondering how much longer Jenny can keep going – and whether her health battle could one day change everything about their place on the nation’s favourite sofa.
