Comedian Grace Campbell has revealed that her father, former Downing Street communications chief Alastair Campbell, thoroughly disliked their stint on the Channel 4 reality series Celebrity Gogglebox. The pair appeared on the star-studded show in 2023 to share their unscripted reactions to popular television programs and films, but behind-the-scenes tensions quickly arose.
Speaking in an interview with BANG Showbiz, 32-year-old Grace explained that while she enjoyed participating in the program, 69-year-old Alastair struggled significantly with the demanding production process. Because he had never watched the series before taking part, his patience was quickly tested by the technical requirements of television filming.
“My dad hated it from start to finish. He did not enjoy it,” Grace said. “It wasn’t that pleasurable because he was in quite a bad mood. My dad’s quite impatient; he doesn’t understand that cameras take a while to set up and all of that stuff. So I enjoyed it, I was very happy that we were doing it, but he was a bit like, ‘What is this?’”
Frustration Over the Final Edit
The experience did not improve for Alastair, who served as the official spokesperson for former Prime Minister Tony Blair, once the episodes finally aired. After spending hours on set filming their commentary, the father-daughter duo discovered they were barely included in the final broadcast.
“We watched it, and we were hardly in the edit,” Grace recalled. “We were like, ‘Did they miss us?’”
Despite the frustration, Grace admitted that looking back, she found her father’s reaction amusing and telling of their contrasting personalities. She noted that watching him become “dysregulated” on camera was a unique experience. She also faced lighthearted teasing from friends over a minor fashion choice during the broadcast: wearing mismatched socks.
Unlikely Reality TV Partners
Given their starkly different temperaments, Grace hinted that she and her father are unlikely to team up for another reality television project. While she describes herself as laid-back and adaptable, Alastair prefers environments where tasks are completed rapidly.
“I don’t think he and I are a natural double-act in the way that some people and their parents are because I think I’m quite chilled, and he likes things to be done quite quickly,” she explained.
Following her television appearances and ongoing stand-up career, Grace Campbell is set to embark on her third national comedy tour, titled The Lady Is a …, running across major UK and Irish cities through November and December.
