Latest news with #KateBottley
Telegraph
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Vicar lied to escape ‘exploitative' Gogglebox
A vicar has admitted lying to escape the 'exploitative' television show Gogglebox. The Rev Kate Bottley, who is now a BBC Radio 2 DJ, said she and her husband Graham told Channel 4 bosses in 2016 they wanted a temporary break while their daughter took her GCSEs. But the couple failed to mention they had no plans to return and did not appear on the show again. The 50-year-old vicar said she chose to leave the programme because it 'took over our life' and she was contractually barred from appearing on other TV shows. 'There was stuff coming in that I wanted to have a go at that I just wasn't able contractually to do,' she said. 'It so happened that it came around the time Ruby was doing her GCSEs so the excuse we gave was, 'We're going to take some time away while she does her exams'.' She has since become a familiar face on radio and television, which funds her Church of England ministry. 'I wish I'd known how much it took over our life for two and a half years,' she told the Walking The Dog podcast. 'It's reality TV, it's by its nature consensual exploitation. 'So they come into your home. They're filming in your home – it was quite intrusive really. But we consented to that intrusion, but I didn't fully know just how.' She revealed her children spent two and a half years sitting in their bedrooms every Tuesday and Thursday nights during filming. 'My kids didn't have friends round for a lot (of the time), didn't have help with their homework. Things like that. 'And we got paid very little. They paid, but I cooked two nights a week for the crew. I'm married to a man who won't eat takeaways, and I don't want to be filmed eating on camera so I was like, 'No, I'll cook'. 'There were casseroles and chillis. So all the money we got from it went on the electricity, the internet connection that they were using, and the food and being hospitable to six people in my home two nights a week. 'It's a vicarage as well, I should be hospitable. We should be sharing our home to people, and eating food together. It was a good two and a half years but we couldn't have done any more. It got to the point where we were just a bit overwhelmed.' She was vicar of Blyth, Scrooby and Ranskill in Nottinghamshire when she first appeared on Gogglebox in 2014. Producers had seen her star in a viral wedding video where she and the congregation started dancing halfway through, which amassed 9.3 million views on YouTube. She appeared on five series of Gogglebox until 2016 when she departed the programme.
Daily Mirror
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gogglebox's Rev. Kate slams 'exploitative' show after horrible toll on family
Former Gogglebox cast member Reverend Kate Bottley, who appeared on the Channel 4 show with her husband Graham Bottley from 2014 to 2016, has spoken about the experience Former Gogglebox cast member Reverend Kate Bottley has described the TV show as "quite intrusive" and "consensual exploitation". She has now spoken about her experience almost a decade on from her decision to leave. Kate, now 50, appeared on the Channel 4 show alongside her husband Graham Bottley and their late dog Buster from 2014 to 2016. The couple, who have two children, welcomed cameras into their home in Blyth during the several series that they took part in the long-running reality TV show. Since leaving Gogglebox nine years ago, Kate has featured on several other shows including Songs of Praise and Pilgrimage: the Road To Santiago. The Church of England vicar also presents BBC Radio 2 's Good Morning Sunday. Kate reflected on her rise to fame on Gogglebox in an episode of the Walking the Dog podcast released yesterday. She said on the podcast: "I wish I'd known how much it took over our life for two and a half years. It's reality TV. It's by its nature ... it's consensual exploitation. [...] It was quite intrusive, really. But y'know we consented to that intrusion." Speaking about her family, she went on to say: "My kids spent two and a half years sat in their bedrooms every Tuesday and Thursday night or whatever nights they came to film. My kids didn't have friends round for a lot [of it and] didn't have help with their homework. Things like that." Kate also claimed that they "got paid very little". She said: "They paid but I cooked two nights a week for the crew." She then said that she offered to cook because Graham "won't eat takeaways" and she didn't want to be filmed eating. She said: "All the money we got from it went on the electricity, the internet connection that they were using and the food and being hospitable to six people in my home two nights a week. It's a vicarage as well - I should be hospitable. "We should be sharing our homes with people and eating food together and stuff. So y'know it was a good two and a half years but we couldn't have done any more with it, I don't think. It got to the point where we were just a bit overwhelmed." Asked if that was why she left, she said on the podcast: "Yeah." She however then claimed that she wasn't able to take part in other TV shows whilst under contract for Gogglebox despite wanting to "have a go" at other opportunities. She continued by saying: "Also, there's quite tight exclusivity and rightly so because if you're filming ordinary people sat on their sofa watching TV you can't then have those people on the TV. It sort of breaks the fourth wall too much." Kate said she was offered shows like Would I Lie To You? - which she has since appeared on - but wasn't allowed to take part because Gogglebox "wouldn't let you do it". She said: "There was stuff coming in that I wanted to have a go at which I just wasn't able, contractually, to do." The former cast member then revealed that she gave an "excuse" when she left Gogglebox in 2016. She said: "And it so happened that it came around the time Ruby was doing her GCSEs so the excuse we gave was 'we're gonna take some time away while she does her exams'."
Scottish Sun
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Gogglebox star slams ‘exploitative' show saying she LIED to quit it and made no money
The former cast member says signing up for the show ended up damaging her family's home life Bitter Exit Gogglebox star slams 'exploitative' show saying she LIED to quit it and made no money Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Gogglebox star Rev Kate Bottley has slammed the "exploitative" show, saying she LIED to quit it and made no money. Kate, 50, who now presents on BBC Radio 2, revealed she gave a fake excuse to step away from the hit Channel 4 series - but had no intention of ever coming back. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Former Gogglebox star Rev Kate Bottley has slammed the "exploitative" show, saying she LIED to quit it and made no money Credit: Instagram The Church of England vicar, who appeared on Gogglebox with her husband Graham for five series until 2016, said signing up for the show ended up damaging her family's home life. She alleged it left her children isolated, meal times disrupted, and their modest fee swallowed up by hidden costs. Speaking on the Walking the Dog podcast, Kate said: 'I wish I'd known how much it took over our life for two and a half years. It's reality TV, it's by its nature consensual exploitation.' The journalist said she originally agreed to take part in a bid to change how people of faith were portrayed on screen - but soon found the filming schedule was 'quite intrusive'. Her son Arthur, who she described as on the 'autistic spectrum', and daughter Ruby, then still in school, would hide away in their rooms twice a week while a large production crew set up in the family home. She continued: 'My kids spent two-and-a-half years sat in their bedrooms every Tuesday and Thursday night or whatever nights they came to film. 'My kids didn't have friends round for a lot [of the time], didn't have help with their homework. Things like that.' Meal times also took a hit, with Kate adding: 'I'm married to a man who won't eat takeaways, and I don't want to be filmed eating on camera so I was like, 'No, I'll cook.' There were casseroles and chillis.' She added: 'They paid, but I cooked two nights a week for the crew… all the money we got from it went on the electricity, the internet connection that they were using, and the food and being hospitable to six people in my home two nights a week. "It's a vicarage as well, I should be hospitable. We should be sharing our home to people, and eating food together. Inside Gogglebox star Rev Kate Bottley's home with hot tub in the garden - including the bits you never see on camera "It was a good two and a half years but we couldn't have done any more. It got to the point where we were just a bit overwhelmed." Kate said she was first approached to take part after a 2013 video of her dancing down the aisle to Kool & the Gang's Celebration at a wedding she officiated went viral. It clocked more than eight million views on YouTube and caught the attention of Channel 4, who signed her and Graham up the following year. The pair were a hit with audiences, but Kate's confident personality drew online criticism from some viewers. She recalled: 'We used to get that whole 'Oh, you never let your husband speak.' It was like, 'Wow.' Be careful there, your misogyny's showing. 'Of course if you're a confident woman married to a quieter man he must be henpecked, and he must be bossed about - it's not that he's just naturally quieter. In any relationship there's someone that is more outgoing.' She said that while she and Graham were paid, the fee was small - and worse, being tied into the show stopped her from taking up better-paid offers elsewhere. She said: 'As well as finding the modest amount of money we were paid disappearing. There was stuff coming in that I wanted to have a go at that I just wasn't able contractually to do.' Offers from major entertainment shows like Would I Lie To You? were off the table due to the show's strict exclusivity clause. Kate said: 'There's quite tight exclusivity, and rightly so. Because if you're filming ordinary people sat on their sofa watching TV you can't then have those people on the TV. It sort of breaks the fourth wall too much.' Eventually, the family decided to walk away from Gogglebox, but not before offering viewers a cover story. She said: 'It so happened that it came around the time that Ruby was doing her GCSEs so the excuse we gave was, 'We're going to take some time away while she does her exams.' But we were just a bit overwhelmed.' Despite her experience, Kate credits the show with boosting her public profile. Since quitting, she's become a regular on Songs of Praise and built a successful career in radio and television, while husband Graham returned to teaching music. Speaking of her decision to go on Gogglebox, Kate previously told The Sun: "We wanted to show people that just because we have a faith and are Christians, it doesn't mean we are four-headed. Kate met her husband Graham at school when both were aged 13 years old but didn't begin dating until they were 18. Since her rise to fame. she has put her culinary skills under the microscope on Celebrity MasterChef. She has also presented the BBC's Songs of Praise. 4 Kate appeared on Gogglebox with her husband Graham for five series until 2016 Credit: Handout 4 Since her rise to fame. she has put her culinary skills under the microscope on Celebrity MasterChef Credit: BBC
The Irish Sun
14 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Gogglebox star slams ‘exploitative' show saying she LIED to quit it and made no money
FORMER Gogglebox star Rev Kate Bottley has slammed the "exploitative" show, saying she LIED to quit it and made no money. 4 Former Gogglebox star Rev Kate Bottley has slammed the "exploitative" show, saying she LIED to quit it and made no money Credit: Instagram The Church of England vicar, who appeared on Gogglebox with her husband Graham for five series until 2016, said signing up for the show ended up damaging her family's home life. She alleged it left her children isolated, meal times disrupted, and their modest fee swallowed up by hidden costs. Speaking on the The journalist said she originally agreed to take part in a bid to change how people of faith were portrayed on screen - but soon found the filming schedule was 'quite intrusive'. read more on Rev Kate Bottley Her son Arthur, who she described as on the 'autistic spectrum', and daughter Ruby, then still in school, would hide away in their rooms twice a week while a large production crew set up in the family home. She continued: 'My kids spent two-and-a-half years sat in their bedrooms every Tuesday and Thursday night or whatever nights they came to film. 'My kids didn't have friends round for a lot [of the time], didn't have help with their homework. Things like that.' Meal times also took a hit, with Kate adding: 'I'm married to a man who won't eat takeaways, and I don't want to be filmed eating on camera so I was like, 'No, I'll cook.' There were casseroles and chillis.' Most read in Reality She added: 'They paid, but I cooked two nights a week for the crew… all the money we got from it went on the electricity, the internet connection that they were using, and the food and being hospitable to six people in my home two nights a week. "It's a vicarage as well, I should be hospitable. We should be sharing our home to people, and eating food together. Inside Gogglebox star Rev Kate Bottley's home with hot tub in the garden - including the bits you never see on camera "It was a good two and a half years but we couldn't have done any more. It got to the point where we were just a bit overwhelmed." Kate said she was first approached to take part after a 2013 video of her dancing down the aisle to Kool & the Gang's Celebration at a wedding she officiated went viral. It clocked more than eight million views on YouTube and caught the attention of Channel 4, who signed her and Graham up the following year. The pair were a hit with audiences, but Kate's confident personality drew online criticism from some viewers. She recalled: 'We used to get that whole 'Oh, you never let your husband speak.' It was like, 'Wow.' Be careful there, your misogyny's showing. 'Of course if you're a confident woman married to a quieter man he must be henpecked, and he must be bossed about - it's not that he's just naturally quieter. In any relationship there's someone that is more outgoing.' She said that while she and Graham were paid, the fee was small - and worse, being tied into the show stopped her from taking up better-paid offers elsewhere. She said: 'As well as finding the modest amount of money we were paid disappearing. There was stuff coming in that I wanted to have a go at that I just wasn't able contractually to do.' Offers from major entertainment shows like Would I Lie To You? were off the table due to the show's strict exclusivity clause. Kate said: 'There's quite tight exclusivity, and rightly so. Because if you're filming ordinary people sat on their sofa watching TV you can't then have those people on the TV. It sort of breaks the fourth wall too much.' Eventually, the family decided to walk away from Gogglebox, but not before offering viewers a cover story. She said: 'It so happened that it came around the time that Ruby was doing her GCSEs so the excuse we gave was, 'We're going to take some time away while she does her exams.' But we were just a bit overwhelmed.' Despite her experience, Kate credits the show with boosting her public profile. Since quitting, she's become a regular on Songs of Praise and built a successful career in radio and television, while husband Graham returned to teaching music. Speaking of her decision to go on Gogglebox, Kate previously told The Sun: "We wanted to show people that just because we have a faith and are Christians, it doesn't mean we are four-headed. Kate met her husband Graham at school when both were aged 13 years old but didn't begin dating until they were 18. Since her rise to fame. she has put her culinary skills under the microscope on She has also presented the BBC's Songs of Praise. 4 Kate appeared on Gogglebox with her husband Graham for five series until 2016 Credit: Handout 4 Since her rise to fame. she has put her culinary skills under the microscope on Celebrity MasterChef Credit: BBC 4 Kate now presents on BBC Radio 2 Credit: PA
The Sun
15 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Gogglebox star slams ‘exploitative' show saying she LIED to quit it and made no money
FORMER Gogglebox star Rev Kate Bottley has slammed the "exploitative" show, saying she LIED to quit it and made no money. Kate, 50, who now presents on BBC Radio 2, revealed she gave a fake excuse to step away from the hit Channel 4 series - but had no intention of ever coming back. 4 The Church of England vicar, who appeared on Gogglebox with her husband Graham for five series until 2016, said signing up for the show ended up damaging her family's home life. She alleged it left her children isolated, meal times disrupted, and their modest fee swallowed up by hidden costs. Speaking on the Walking the Dog podcast, Kate said: 'I wish I'd known how much it took over our life for two and a half years. It's reality TV, it's by its nature consensual exploitation.' The journalist said she originally agreed to take part in a bid to change how people of faith were portrayed on screen - but soon found the filming schedule was 'quite intrusive'. Her son Arthur, who she described as on the 'autistic spectrum', and daughter Ruby, then still in school, would hide away in their rooms twice a week while a large production crew set up in the family home. She continued: 'My kids spent two-and-a-half years sat in their bedrooms every Tuesday and Thursday night or whatever nights they came to film. 'My kids didn't have friends round for a lot [of the time], didn't have help with their homework. Things like that.' Meal times also took a hit, with Kate adding: 'I'm married to a man who won't eat takeaways, and I don't want to be filmed eating on camera so I was like, 'No, I'll cook.' There were casseroles and chillis.' She added: 'They paid, but I cooked two nights a week for the crew… all the money we got from it went on the electricity, the internet connection that they were using, and the food and being hospitable to six people in my home two nights a week. "It's a vicarage as well, I should be hospitable. We should be sharing our home to people, and eating food together. Inside Gogglebox star Rev Kate Bottley's home with hot tub in the garden - including the bits you never see on camera "It was a good two and a half years but we couldn't have done any more. It got to the point where we were just a bit overwhelmed." Kate said she was first approached to take part after a 2013 video of her dancing down the aisle to Kool & the Gang's Celebration at a wedding she officiated went viral. It clocked more than eight million views on YouTube and caught the attention of Channel 4, who signed her and Graham up the following year. The pair were a hit with audiences, but Kate's confident personality drew online criticism from some viewers. She recalled: 'We used to get that whole 'Oh, you never let your husband speak.' It was like, 'Wow.' Be careful there, your misogyny's showing. 'Of course if you're a confident woman married to a quieter man he must be henpecked, and he must be bossed about - it's not that he's just naturally quieter. In any relationship there's someone that is more outgoing.' She said that while she and Graham were paid, the fee was small - and worse, being tied into the show stopped her from taking up better-paid offers elsewhere. She said: 'As well as finding the modest amount of money we were paid disappearing. There was stuff coming in that I wanted to have a go at that I just wasn't able contractually to do.' Offers from major entertainment shows like Would I Lie To You? were off the table due to the show's strict exclusivity clause. Kate said: 'There's quite tight exclusivity, and rightly so. Because if you're filming ordinary people sat on their sofa watching TV you can't then have those people on the TV. It sort of breaks the fourth wall too much.' Eventually, the family decided to walk away from Gogglebox, but not before offering viewers a cover story. She said: 'It so happened that it came around the time that Ruby was doing her GCSEs so the excuse we gave was, 'We're going to take some time away while she does her exams.' But we were just a bit overwhelmed.' Despite her experience, Kate credits the show with boosting her public profile. Since quitting, she's become a regular on Songs of Praise and built a successful career in radio and television, while husband Graham returned to teaching music. Speaking of her decision to go on Gogglebox, Kate previously told The Sun: "We wanted to show people that just because we have a faith and are Christians, it doesn't mean we are four-headed. Kate met her husband Graham at school when both were aged 13 years old but didn't begin dating until they were 18. Since her rise to fame. she has put her culinary skills under the microscope on Celebrity MasterChef. She has also presented the BBC's Songs of Praise. 4 4 4
