Gogglebox's the Malones: Get to know the Manchester family

Do they actually eat those lovely looking cakes?!

Author: Alex RossPublished 15th Sep 2024

The Malone family are an absolute fan-favourite on Gogglebox! Since joining the Gogglebox cast back in 2014, the Malones have been a show staple, so we've answered some of your burning questions about the Manchester family, as they return for series 24.

Who are the Malone family on Gogglebox?

The Malone family are a fan-favourite on the show, made up of mum Julie, dad Tom, and sons Tom Jr, and Shaun.

Following Tom Jr's departure from the show, we were introduced to Julie and Tom's daughter Vanessa Malone, who joined the sofa for the 17th series.

Where are the Malone family from on Gogglebox?

The Malones are from Manchester in the North West, living in Stretford.

When did the Malone family join Gogglebox?

The Malones joined Gogglebox all the way back in 2014 for series 4!

Do the Malone family on Gogglebox actually eat their cakes?

They ALWAYS have some lovely looking sweet treats in front of them whilst filming - and whilst we all stare at the screen in jealousy at the amazing-looking cakes, biscuits and pastries, it appears none of the Malone family actually ever eat the treats, leading many to think they are only put out 'for show'.

Well, don't worry! It turns out the cakes aren't just wasted or left for the dogs, they do get demolished by Tom, Julie, Tom Jnr and Shaun - just not when they are filming.

Tom Jr, who has been treating fans with some hilarious TikTok videos during lockdown, took to his page to explain the theories, revealing the reason why they don't eat during filming is because they don't like to talk with their mouths full.

He said: "So I thought I'd do a little video because we get this question quite a lot. So I'm going to clear it up for you now, so you guys know. Basically we do eat the cakes, they are not just for show, we do eat them. But because when we are eating, we don't talk with our mouths full, that's just how we've been raised.

"So yeah, they just don't show it because it's a show about our comments essentially, so Gogglebox tend to not show us eating. But very very rarely, one of my other family members will say something and you'll see me sneak in a cake."

What do the Malone family do outside of Gogglebox?

Tom Jr. is a professional dancer and freelance model, brother Shaun is a football coach and dad Tom is a lorry driver while mum Julie is a receptionist. The latest Malone to hit our TV screens, Vanessa, is an NHS nurse.

Since leaving the show, Tom Jr announced his brand new role as Head of Chair Testing for shelving and storage company BiGDUG.

The Malone family dogs on Gogglebox

The Malones had two Rottweilers who regularly appeared on screen - Joe and Dave! It was announced in October 2023 that Dave had sadly passed away.

Announcing the sad news of Dave's passing on social media on Wednesday 18th October, Shaun Malone wrote: 'Unfortunately this morning we learned it was time to say to goodbye to Dave (kn--head dave) a beloved member of the family and a popular lad on Gogglebox in the past he has been referred to as a national treasure and people online have even requested him to be the prime minister. It’s crazy over the years how many people have came up to me and said they had named their dogs after him. Dave ❤️'. (sic)

The family previously had four of the dogs, but sadly announced that Izzy had passed away in July 2021. Taking to their social pages, they shared the news with a beautiful and funny photo of Izzy.

The Malones also previously had a dog named Frankie who passed away in 2018, and Lucy, who passed away in 2022.

Check out the real life kobs of the Gogglebox cast below:

Ellie and Izzi Warner

Sisters Ellie and Izzi Warner from Leeds first joined the show back in 2015.


Izzi welcomed her baby girl, Bessie Rose, in February 2020, and after making a living as a nail technician has now qualified to be a mortgage adviser.


Meanwhile, Izzi's sister Ellie is a hairdresser!

Pete and Sophie

Brother and sister duo Pete and Sophie Sandiford first joined the cast in 2017. Whilst Sophie dresses shop windows for a living, brother Pete works for an insurance company.

The Siddiqui family

The Siddiqui family, made up of Umar, Baasit and their dad Sid, have become Gogglebox legends since joining the show back in series 1.


Dad Sid is a retired engineer, he also worked for the NHS for 37 years. Baasit is an IT teacher in a secondary school whilst Umar has also works for the NHS, he has been a Biomedical Scientist in Microbiology at the Royal Derby Hospital for 17 years.

The Malone family

The Malone family, made up of Tom, Julie, Tom Jnr and Shaun, are one of the most popular families with fans. They first joined the cast in 2014.


As often documented on the show, Tom Jr is a professional dancer, but he also works as a freelance model! In March 2021, he announced he would be a chair-tester for an office supplies company, before quitting Gogglebox to pursue other career options.


His brother Shaun is a football coach, whilst dad Tom is a lorry driver and mum Julie is a receptionist.

Stephen Webb and Daniel Lustig

Stephen Webb has appeared on every single series of Gogglebox, and in 2019 his husband Daniel Lustig joined him! The pair chose to leave in 2023, with Stephen announcing he was set to appear on the 2024 series of Dancing On Ice. Unfortunately for Stephen, he was forced to withdraw from the show after breaking his ankle.


The pair both work as hairdressers.

Dave and Shirley

Welsh couple Dave and Shirley, who have been married for over 40 years, first joined the show back in 2015.


Shirley works in retail and Dave is a factory worker.

Tremaine, Twaine and Tristan

Tremaine, Twaine and Tristan, brothers from Bristol, joined back in 2016, but the trio didn't appear on series 15.


Whilst Tremaine is a chef, Twaine is a winger for Hereford FC and Tristan used to be a semi-professional footballer for Bristol FC but is now playing for Bitton AFC.

Giles and Mary

Gogglebox fans fell in love with Giles and his wife Mary when they joined the cast in 2015.


Although it's not known what he does for a living, in series 15, Giles revealed he actually retired at the age of 21. Meanwhile, it's understood Mary writes as an 'agony aunt' for an online magazine.


The married couple are also reportedly good friends with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Jenny and Lee

Best friends Jenny and Lee first joined the show on series 4 back in 2014.


Although it's not known what the pair do for a living now, they first became friends when Jenny was a land lady at The Crown Inn in Paull, and Lee was a regular customer!

Sue and Steve

Married couple Sue and Steve first appeared on the show back in 2019.


Steve is a taxi driver in London.

The Malones appear on Gogglebox every Friday night at 9pm.

Now read:

Here's how much the stars of Gogglebox get paid and how YOU can apply

Gogglebox: All of the jobs the cast have away from the show

Celebrity Gogglebox: Full line-up for the new series

How to listen to Downtown Radio:

Tune into Northern Ireland's Home of Great Music, Downtown Radio on FM, AM, DAB Digital Radio, online, on our Rayo app and by asking your smart speaker to 'Play Downtown Radio'. Gary & Glen kick things off every weekday morning and Neal McClelland brings you home on Downtown Drive.