Gogglebox's 'Silent Jay' looks totally different after quitting UK for new life abroad

A former Gogglebox star is barely recognisable a decade after departing the show.

Since its inception in 2013, the much-loved Channel 4 programme has introduced us to a host of memorable families from across the nation: from Giles Wood and Mary Killen in Wiltshire to the Siddiqui family in Derby.

The Woerdenweber family from Liverpool was one of the original Gogglebox clans, comprising mum Viv, dad Ralf, daughter Eve and her boyfriend Jay. It's safe to say the family quickly won over viewers.

Jay, however, earned the moniker 'Silent Jay' due to his reticence on screen. In 2015, Jay exited the show following his break up with Eve.

Speaking to The Sun at the time, Jay revealed: "I'm gutted that Eve broke up with me. It came completely out of the blue.", reports the Manchester Evening News.

"We had a few problems and started drifting apart but I thought it was down to the pressure of the show and her business. We argued too much and she said she couldn't cope with it."

Fast forward 10 years since his Gogglebox departure, Jay is almost unrecognisable and has even relocated to a new country. His X profile bio reads: "32 [peace sign emoji] [location emoji] Rotterdam [Netherlands flag]. Make every second divine [music notes emoji]. #Gogglebox series 2-5."

Now residing in Rotterdam, Jay has also undergone a dramatic transformation, swapping his long hair for a shorter style.

In a remarkable turn of events, Jay's former Gogglebox co-star Viv has graduated from the University of Liverpool with an MA in Archaeology. Viv, who first enrolled in the Go Higher Programme at the age of 56 to fulfil a personal ambition, credits her daughter Eve for giving her the courage to pursue her dreams.

Her love for learning didn't stop there as she decided to further her education, setting her sights on a Masters in Archaeology.

Speaking about her transition from television to academia, Viv told the Liverpool Echo: "It's been hard, much harder than I thought it would be but I've made a lot of great friends. The teaching here is absolutely phenomenal all the academics are great. They go above and beyond and archaeology is a passion."

Gogglebox series 26 airs on Friday at 9pm on Channel 4.