Gogglebox star Sandra Martin reveals she’s finally off benefits as she lands job at a funeral parlour – after claiming she was ‘paid more than anyone else’ on the show

Gogglebox star Sandra Martin has revealed she is finally without benefits after landing a job at a funeral home.

The 61-year-old television personality said in March this year that he had returned to receiving benefits after falling on hard times, despite claiming he “earned more than anyone” during his tenure on the Channel 4 programme.

But Sandra has now turned her life around once more and earns a salary as a cleaner at her friend’s business, a job she started just three weeks ago.

In a new interview, the bubbly TV star recounted how she initially turned down a role as a receptionist at the funeral home because it would have been “too emotional” but is happy to show “respect for the deceased” by keeping the place clean. .

She said Sun: ‘I am 61 years old and I am a grandmother. Three weeks ago I was receiving benefits and looking for work. Now, I’m going to be cleaning out a funeral home after a friend opened one in Hastings.’

Hard times: The 61-year-old TV personality said in March this year that he was back on benefits after falling on hard times, despite claiming he “earned more than anyone” during his tenure on the Channel show 4.

She went on to say that she needs to start a “trust and communication” training course in a bid to develop new skills should she want to move on to a receptionist job, but for now, she’s happier being a cleaner.

Sandra explained: ‘I don’t want to do the reception work at the beginning, I think it will be too emotional.

‘But at least for now I’m happy to keep the place clean out of respect for the departed. I think it will be respectful.

Sandra, who lives in Hastings but is originally from Brixton, has had on-and-off benefits since leaving Gogglebox in 2018, with the exception of a brief stint at Midlands railway station.

The TV star recounted how it was hard for her to work because she was ‘constantly’ stopped to take selfies.

In March, Sandra revealed that she was “paid more than anyone” during her time on the Channel 4 series.

Sandra and her best friend Sandi Bogle, 58, became one of the most popular duos on the show when it started in 2013.

But in 2017, Sandi left the show to pursue her singing career and was replaced by Sandra’s daughter, Chanchez, before she, too, left the show shortly after.

Fresh Start: Sandra has now turned her life around once more and earns a salary as a cleaner at her friend’s business, a job she started just three weeks ago.

speaking to Sun she claimed that as a ‘star of the show’ she was paid more than any other cast member, allowing her to enjoy a ‘luxury lifestyle’.

She said, “I got more than everyone else, because everyone else was working, but I was on benefits, and I was the best doing the show.”

‘I got the contract and they paid me the rent, the municipal tax, the television license, the electricity, the gas, all the bills you need.’

Before adding: “I was living a luxury lifestyle.”

The fan favorite said she had spent her earnings from the show, believed to be around £1,500 a month, on takeaways and getting her hair done.

Earlier that month, she revealed that she had been forced to go back on benefits after falling on hard times.

Strike It Rich: Sandra, 61, (right) and her best friend Sandi Bogle, 58, (left) from Brixton became one of the most popular duos on the show when it started in 2013.

Sandra won over British audiences with her infectious laugh and love of Pot Noodles during her time on the show, but in 2018 she ended up homeless.

Despite the setback, Sandra revealed that after 50 years they are still friends: “No matter what we go through, she always has a room here for her and she always has a room for me.”

We are best friends. We’ve been through ups and downs, through thick and thin, the worst, the wear and tear, the tears, the blows, the laughter.’

Explaining how she quickly spent her salary, Sandra previously told Loose Women: “The money was coming in. The bank account was big, I was out in the community, all my friends were on social media.”

‘I never received help, but the money was being wasted. Money left, taxis, hair, takeout, friends who wanted money. The money just left. It was natural to help, I don’t regret it.

Sandra added that at times she wished she had never found fame, explaining, “I wanted to burn it all down and get back to it.” I’m not the famous person. I do a lot of charity work, I don’t get paid, Sandi likes to do the red carpet.