One of the families that viewers have favourited over the years on Gogglebox are the Siddiqui family. The TV stars found fame after joining the Channel 4 show when it first started in 2013. The family have welcomed viewers into their Derbyshire home for over a decade.
The family have amassed a large Instagram following of nearly 140,000 followers, a platform the family use regularly to share insights into their personal lives and what they get up to when cameras stop rolling. One of the latest updates from the family has been met by a wave of supportive messages.
On the official Siddiquis Instagram account, a photo of a grey cat was shared which was captioned: “Sleep Tight Little One. Our little Diva Poppy – nearly 14 years and still didn’t feel long enough.
“A lifetime of memories we will all never forget. We hope you are reunited with your big brother Rufus and are both chasing rainbows together. Pets leave paw prints on our hearts, and memories in our souls. Sleep tight little one.”
The family were sent messages of condolences from fans after the heartbreaking update. One comment said: “Bless, we lost our little one of 16 years 3 weeks ago and feel your heartbreak – never long enough with those who give love unconditionally.”
Another message said: “So sorry sorry for your heartbreaking loss. Poppy was beautiful. We lost our westie, Poppy, 14 months ago. She was almost 17, and our cat, Ruby, the summer before. She was 19.”
Other replies included: “So sorry you have lost your little Poppy. It’s heartbreaking to lose a pet you have loved so long. The empty space they used to fill seems enormous. The memories will stay forever in your heart.”
Further responses were “so sorry for your loss, sleep tight little one” and “Safe journey Poppy. Over the rainbow bridge to meet up with Rufus.”
Cat owners Baasit and Mel Siddiqui also shared the same post to their social media platforms. Retired engineer Sid, appears alongside his sons Baasit and Umar on the show, their brother Raza sometimes makes a guest appearance on the sofa.
Baasit has been married to his wife Mel since 2014, and they share children Amelia and Theodore. They married just one year after the family joined Gogglebox, The much-loved series first aired in the UK on March 7 2013. There have since been 25 series that have aired on Channel 4.
Last week, the family celebrated Baasit’s birthday. Mel said: “Happy Birthday. Happy birthday @baasit_siddiqui. Wishing you the most wonderful birthday, we all love you to the moon & back and are so proud of everything you do. Love you always.”