'It's a chance to show that every story matters'... Meath councillor encouraging local families to apply to become Goggleboxers

Virgin Media Television has announced a casting call for families and friends to take part in the new season of Gogglebox Ireland, which returns to screens this Autumn.

Meath County Councillor Yemi Adenuga and her family were one of the first families to appear on the reality television programme when it aired in September of 2016.

The Adenuga's from Navan took part in seasons one to four of the series, which consists of groups of families and friends from around Ireland who react to Irish, British and American television shows broadcast in Ireland.

Yemi and her family were the first migrant family to appear on Virgin Media’s Gogglebox Ireland.

Yemi greatly encourages anyone who may be thinking of applying for the show to do so, as she said that her own experience on Gogglebox was "incredibly enjoyable".

She continued by saying that "representing Navan alongside my family gave us a wonderful platform to put Navan on the national stage and share our lives and laughter with viewers across Ireland."

"We were the first migrant family on the show, so it was an opportunity to showcase our voices, authenticity, and humour on television, and it even helped elevate our profile in the community."

"I’d encourage other families to get involved because Gogglebox Ireland is more than just watching TV."

"It’s a chance to bring warmth and diversity into Irish living rooms, to celebrate real family connections, and to show that every story matters."

When TV producers were looking for a migrant family to take part, the Adenuga’s name kept coming up.

“I volunteered for anything and everything and I think that’s how I became known. I was literally the first to put my hand up” she recalled in a Women's Way interview back in 2023.

The family were a hit on the series and continued on the television programme for four seasons, despite Yemi's reluctance to be on reality television at the start.

Yemi spoke on how well her and her family were received by the public on the show by telling Women's Way that “especially as a migrant family, it spoke volumes about the kind of Ireland I would love to see where we stop using the word migrant at some stage for people who have lived here for years, and you start to feel like this is home.”

Virgin Media says it is looking for members of the TikTok generation in their early 20s for the next season of Gogglebox, who enjoy watching and talking about what’s on TV.