GOGGLEBOX has been hit by Ofcom complaints as viewers accused the show of breaking coronavirus lockdown rules.

Concerned fans slammed the Channel 4 programme for not practising social-distancing, as some of the cast don't live in the same house.

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The TV watchdog has received 20 complaints since last Tuesday [31 March] – just days after viewers flocked to Twitter to share their outrage.

In the episode that aired on 27th March, all of the stars were present as usual apart from Siddiqui patriarch Sid, who is in his 70s.

Many were confused as they questioned whether sisters Izzi and Ellie, best pals Jenny and Lee, brothers Tremaine, Twaine and Tristan Plummer, and siblings Sophie and Pete lived together.

A Gogglebox spokesperson told us at the time: "The majority of Friday’s episode was filmed before the Prime Minister’s address last Monday.

"Since the updated Public Health England advice, any filming was subject to stricter filming protocols which are now fully in place.

"The health and safety of our cast and crew is paramount."

By the following week, changes had been made – Izzi was replaced onscreen by Ellie's boyfriend Nat, and the Plummer trio were not seen.

Although it was not addressed in the programme, other stars took to social media to clarify that they weren't flouting the government rules.

Writing on Twitter, Lee revealed that he had moved into Jenny's caravan full time for lockdown.

Pete also told one critic that he and Sophie live in the same house, and Sid was once again absent from his sons – although it is unclear whether Bassit and Umar are living together in lockdown.

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Izzi and Ellie appear to be the only regular Gogglebox stars to be badly affected by isolation as filming takes place at Ellie's house and busy mother-of-two Izzi has had to skip filming.

Coronavirus was officially deemed a global pandemic last month, and so far over 7,000 people in the UK have lost their lives to the deadly disease.

In a bid to combat the growing health crisis, it has been ruled that Brits are only allowed out of their homes to go to work, exercise once a day, and infrequent food shops.

Mixing households has also been banned, with authorities currently considering whether stricter rules need to be put in place after the sunny weekend saw people flock to parks for picnics and meet-ups.

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