Gogglebox’s Giles Wood and Mary Killen have revealed that they were able to pay off their mortgage as a result of their eight years on the show.

The couple, beloved by viewers for their offbeat remarks and dry wit, told BBC Radio Scotland’s The Afternoon Show podcast that their success helped them cover the payments for their rural Wiltshire cottage, nicknamed “The Grottage”. .

Asked how the hit Channel 4 show had changed their lives, Wood said: “I think we were able to pay off the mortgage.”

He added that the couple “remained very, very quiet” about their earnings, saying: “I leave all the paperwork to Mary because she is more interested in the details of life. She took a broad approach to life.”

Wood said that “a lot of people come up to us and recognize us”, but added: “I live such a quiet life that I am constantly surprised that people recognize me. And it’s the same as when you entered a garage and saw yourself on CCTV.

“It’s a constant fascination to see yourself on television.”

Ms Killen added: “The thing is, it hasn’t really affected us that much because we’re not on social media so we can’t get trolled or whatever.

“So anyway, but the thing is, when I go out, which I do a lot more than Giles, people tend to come beaming and say, ‘Are you Mary from Gogglebox? Your husband makes us laugh.’

And they are always very nice.

Changing nature of television

She said she was delighted by the warmth from the public, but the couple is cautious about how long their career will continue given the difficulties network television faces in the modern era.

Mr Wood cautioned: “Can I point to one of the things I’ve noticed recently, which is that a lot of people, even older people, don’t watch much terrestrial television?

“Everyone is streaming and watching different things like Disney and Netflix. And one of Gogglebox’s earlier functions was to reassure viewers that they weren’t missing a thing.

“Now that no one is watching terrestrial TV, you’ll have to change your role, right?”

Wood also said that he rarely interacts with other Gogglebox stars.