Advertisement

EXCLUSIVE Steph and Dom: 'We're determined not to get lost in new-found fame'

When Steph and Dom Parker signed up to a new Channel 4 show called ‘Gogglebox’ back in 2013, they had absolutely no idea just how much their lives were about to change.

The pair quickly won the hearts of viewers up and down the country with their witty one-liners and drunken escapades as they gave their critique on the past week’s telly.

The couple called time on their relationship with their sofa last year, announcing that they had quit Gogglebox ‘indefinitely’, however, they have far from disappeared into the abyss.

The pair won’t let fame go to their heads. Copyright: [Rex]
The pair won’t let fame go to their heads. Copyright: [Rex]

In fact, Steph and Dom have become so well-loved by the British people that barely a week goes by without one or the other being linked to a high-profile celebrity reality show, with them both being hotly-anticipated contestants for past seasons of I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here, Celebrity Big Brother, and Strictly Come Dancing.

Unfortunately for their fans, in spite of the rumours Steph and Dom have so far refused to sign up to a reality show, and speaking exclusively to Yahoo Celeb UK, Steph explained her incredibly humble reason why.

She told us: “I liked the thought of Strictly once upon a time, because everyone should learn to dance properly once in their life, but I think the overriding thing for us is that we are just a couple of numpties that rocked up watching telly and talking nonsense about it.

“Yet here we are having a conversation about doing Strictly… Are you mad? I just had an absolute pinch yourself moment.

Steph and Dom found fame on Gogglebox. Copyright: [Channel 4]
Steph and Dom found fame on Gogglebox. Copyright: [Channel 4]

“It’s all a bit surreal, to be honest.”

Steph went on to add that she is determined to not let her and her husband’s impressive rise to fame go to their heads, quipping: “It’s been really crazy and that’s why you have to keep reminding yourself [of your roots], otherwise you can get lost in it and think that you are something more than you are.”

Dom agreed, although revealed the one show that he and Steph had been tempted to sign up for, sharing: “We thought we’d quite like to do Dancing On Ice but came to the conclusion that we are at that age where falling over is not very clever for us.”

Although they are reluctant to embrace their newfound celebrity to take part in a reality show, the pair have enjoyed TV success on their own, with the bed and breakfast owners now fronting their own Channel 4 show, One Star to Five Star, which sees the couple help turn struggling hotels and guest-houses into luxurious ones in just five days.

Steph and Dom front new show ‘One Star to Five Star’. Copyright: [Channel 4]
Steph and Dom front new show ‘One Star to Five Star’. Copyright: [Channel 4]

Admitting that they were worried about what kind of things they would find in the one-star establishments, Steph confessed that she was actually left shocked by the “heart” of the struggling hoteliers.

She explained: “One of the things that shocked me the most is that they haven’t been dreadful; I was expecting people who don’t really care, or who are just doing it for the money.

“Every single one we went to work with was okay, it’s quite reassuring – the rooms and loos are clean; the heart is there.”

However, filming did have some wobbly moments, with the TV star going on to reveal that there had been “painful” moments where hotel owners didn’t agree with her room revamps.

Steph and Dom run a successful B&B. Copyright: [Rex]
Steph and Dom run a successful B&B. Copyright: [Rex]

She told us: “It’s a little bit painful but they’re more upset than I am… They’re mortified they don’t like it but they absolutely have to tell us the truth; if everybody loved what we did nobody would believe it.”

Dom added: “Also, the end result is what guests think and we have had a couple of situations where one of the hoteliers hasn’t liked what we have done but the guests have and that’s what matters.”

Steph quipped: “You do feel just a little bit smug when the guests love it but hoteliers don’t… But if hoteliers love it and the guests aren’t so sure, that is quite tricky.”

As well as One Star to Five Star, Steph and Dom have also taken part in a celebrity special of Channel 4’s Hunted, attempting to survive 14 days on the run from the hunters, in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.

The couple also took part in a celebrity special of Hunted. Copyright: [Channel 4]
The couple also took part in a celebrity special of Hunted. Copyright: [Channel 4]

And although they’re clearly doing incredibly well without Gogglebox, Steph refused to rule out a return to the sofa in the future, telling us: “It’s a show that is meant to reflect the nation’s thoughts and I think to have the same people week in week out doesn’t reflect the nation’s general opinion.

“You have to mix it up, otherwise the point of the show is gone.

“We’d never say never to going back one day – we’re just old folk getting a bit tipsy and I think we’re taking it one day at a time.

“We’re not here for a long time, so we just need to enjoy what we do and see what happens.”

A sentiment that we couldn’t agree more with.

‘Steph & Dom’s One Star to Five Star’, starts tonight, Monday 9th October, at 5.30pm on Channel 4.

‘Celebrity Hunted for Stand Up To Cancer’, airs on 10th October at 9:15pm on Channel 4

Follow Yahoo Celeb UK on Twitter and Instagram for all of the latest celebrity news!

Read more:

[ Gogglebox’s Josh Tapper leaves the show for job at Downing Street ]

[ Gogglebox’s Louis Michael under fire for ‘defending ISIS’ in bizarre rant ]

[ Gogglebox’s Chris Steed opens up about his hair transplant ]