Inside Gogglebox favourites Dave & Shirley's life as Welsh couple return to sofa

Gogglebox fan favourites Dave and Shirley Griffiths have been a constant source of funny quips and brilliant moments as part of Channel 4's Friday nights since 2015. Since their arrival a decade ago viewers have enjoyed their often hilarious observations with a touch of Welsh humour, but have you ever wondered what they get up to outside of the hit show?

The couple, both in their 60s, have been married for almost 49 years and have certainly enjoyed some good times together as well as with friends and family. Often on social media they share pictures of themselves sitting down to watch Gogglebox on a Friday night. When they aren’t sharing when they are “Gogglebox Ready” (which they caption their photos), they are sharing pictures of their lovely family and pets.

Dave, who works as a cleaner, and Shirley, a charity shop worker have two children, Gemma and Simon, who they often refer to on social media, more recently as Simon completed Cardiff’s annual half marathon.

READ MORE: Gogglebox's Dave and Shirley supported by co-stars after sharing exciting update

READ MORE: BBC Doctor Who's Ncuti Gatwa's future and when it's back on TV - everything you need to know

From their years on the show we've learned that Dave makes a good roast (with homemade Yorkshires), they love spending time with their family and they love a bit of a party.

Their affection for their family is shared in their first-ever Instagram post in 2016, which sees the couple with daughter Gemma and a caption: "If beers made family's (sic) mine would probably be the best in the world #carlsberg"

Keen on a sun holiday (who isn't?) Dave often shares images, older and new, of them enjoying some time abroad during the breaks in filming the show. Recently he's shared an old picture of the pair with the caption: “Me and Shirley in the day happy times #benidorm #funinthesun #holidays #tui”

Back when they first started viewers of the show expressed their concern for Dave's seemingly uncomfortable TV-watching position,Many also took to Twitter to voice their concern about the awkward horizontal position the office worker adopts on the settee, which leaves his unsupported neck and head in mid air. It seems to work for him, though as the couple remain on the show a decade later, with the years in between filled with trips to award shows.

The pair recently attended the TV Choice Awards at the London Hilton on Park Lane, where they were overjoyed to share that Gogglebox had won the award for the best entertainment show. They shared a post on Instagram with the trophy and captioning it: "We done it #tvchoiceawards. Thanks to everyone who voted cheers your the best."

To many viewers' dismay, when asked at the awards by the Sun whether there’s a show they’ll refuse to watch, Shirley was quick to answer, saying: “Naked Attraction.”

Shirley went on: “I watch it, but when you think of it, the first time you see someone is with no clothes on. There's no need.”

Dave apparently he then joked that Shirley will be there hiding her eyes from the screen, while he’d be doing the opposite.

Shirl's no prude, though, as in one episode back in 2021 the charity shop worker recounted the time she got more than she bargained for while doing a shift in the Caerphilly shop .

"In the shop this week we had this collar... I thought it was a dog's lead so I thought I'd put it out for a pound. I thought it was for like a Chihuahua," she said. "So one of the volunteers come [sic] running in and says: 'Who put this out?'

"I said: 'I did.' She said: 'Well, it's not for a dog.' It was for a man's penis apparently!" It's these sort of real stories that have kept the couple engaging and made them worth tuning into Gogglebox for.

In recent years they've also shared a few filming secrets, including that sometimes they get a little tipsy.

Speaking to OK! they said that they are keeping their spirits up when they work through the long filming day from their home with a little bit of help from the booze cabinet.

Shirley said: "Sometimes me and Dave have a little bit too much… We get a little bit drunk!"

But she went on to say that doing the show is a "lovely experience" for both of them.

Speaking about what really goes on behind the scenes of the show, Dave said: "We get some snacks in as we’ve got a pretty long watch. Things like crisps, nuts, chocolate…"

Shirley added: "We just buy what we want and they pay for it!"

Their Gogglebox filming day begins when the crew turn up on a Sunday and start filming about 3pm and Dave and Shirley admitted that sometimes they worry about doing the show.

Dave said: "I've had it where I’ve thought, 'Should I have said that?'”

Shirley added: “Swearing. I think, “Oh, I shouldn’t have said that!” Sometimes you just forget.”

But they add that none of the stuff they say is preempted and they also love being on the show.

The new series of Gogglebox continues on Channel 4, Fridays at 9pm.