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Gogglebox, the hit Channel 4 series, has introduced us to a host of memorable personalities who have kept us entertained with their sharp and humorous insights into the week’s TV. Still, fans are often curious about the financial rewards for the stars of the show.
Sandra Martin, a former favourite from the show, and a previous benefits claimant, disclosed that her time on Gogglebox was incredibly lucrative, netting her an eye-popping £100,000 a year. While the exact amount Channel 4 paid remains confidential, Sandra divulged to the Daily Mail, “It was the best wage I ever earned in my life and I got asked to do loads of celebrity appearances at events which Channel 4 would also pay me for”.
Furthermore, she shared, “I paid tax on an income of £100,000. In fact, ever since I started doing Gogglebox in 2012, I have earned around £100,000 every year.”
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The much-loved TV personality also highlighted the flexibility the show provided, only filming two days a week for six months each year, leaving her ample opportunity to uphold her long-time habit of selling at car boot sales a pursuit shes enjoyed since the age of 18.
Sandra revealed that joining Gogglebox was the most profitable ‘money decision’ she’s ever made after being discovered while enjoying a beverage at her local in Brixton. At the time, Sandra was on benefits and shared in another conversation: “I was tipsy because I’d been on the brandy and the bartender told him ‘Go to Queen Bee’ and it was the best thing that happened to me”, as reported by OK!
The Gogglebox star also disclosed: “I got paid more than anyone else, more than any of the other families because they were working and I had to come off benefits to appear on the show. All the bills that you have to pay for in life they dealt with for me and left me around £300 to £500 a week on top of that to get my hair and nails done and other expenses.”
“I could have bought a house with all the money I made but I gave it away, I took care of my family and friends. I filled their fridges, took them shopping to buy clothes and paid for meals.”
Additionally, she landed an advert promoting a Chinese TV show, which netted her £10,000 – that’s £6,000 after taxes. However, since leaving Gogglebox in 2017, Sandra’s fortunes have fluctuated dramatically; from having “everything paid for” by the show to being unemployed, sofa-surfing, and selling merchandise to make ends meet.
Sandra recently revealed that despite struggling financially and relying on £238-a-month Universal Credit, she has still managed to enjoy luxurious breaks to Ibiza, Amsterdam, and Portugal, all thanks to her generous fans who have funded her trips in exchange for her lively company. Speaking to The Sun.
In an interview, she enthusiastically explained: “I’ve been on five holidays since Christmas Day and I’m going to Malta too, it’s all because of Gogglebox.”
“I’ve been to Amsterdam, Portugal, Benidorm and lots of other places. Soon I’m going to Skegness. People love me and I give them entertainment so they pay for my trips.”
“It’s because I’ve got such a large platform, I’m on social media every day and talk to my fans. People are bored and I cheer them up. I get a lot of hate for it because I’m always on planes but people gift these trips to me. It’s a miracle really, they must have spent thousands of pounds on me.”
