A Witham hairdresser, who appears on TV’s Gogglebox every Friday night, said the show was just a “hobby that exploded”.

Linda McGarry, 64, who owns Kharisma hair salon in Church Street, has become an unlikely star of the small screen along with her husband Pete, 63, and her son George Gilbey, 30.

The trio, who lived in Braintree and Witham before moving to St Osyth, are constantly recognised on the streets for their roles in the popular show, which won a Bafta last week.

They are one of 16 families from around the country that appear on Gogglebox, which films people watching and commenting on programmes they are watching on television.

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full story.