Gogglebox UK, a popular British television show that features families watching and discussing various programmes, is welcoming its first cast member with Down’s syndrome. The show is adding two new families to its lineup: the football-loving brothers Steve and Mark from Newcastle, and Sandy from London, along with her son Max, who has Down’s syndrome. Max is the first person with the condition to appear on the programme. Sandy, 62, expressed her excitement about appearing on the show with her son. She emphasized the importance of showing a positive image of Max’s disability. "It’s important for people to see my son as a superstar and realize that someone with a learning disability can be smart, opinionated, and hilarious," she said. She believes that Max's presence on the show can inspire others and challenge stereotypes about people with learning disabilities. Max, 33, joked that he is "much funnier than his mum" and is eager to share his views on television with the audience. He also mentioned that he sometimes falls asleep while watching shows, which his mother finds amusing. "He sleeps for a few minutes and then wakes up fully engaged with what’s on and has strong opinions," Sandy said, laughing. Max and Sandy will also bring their identical twin cats, named Boogie and Pilgrim, after a song by Elton John. Mark, 46, shared his surprise at joining the show with his brother. The brothers from Newcastle joked that they were warned not to swear too much when they told their families about their new roles. Mark said, "Everyone’s absolutely stoked. When I told our mam, the first thing she said was 'please don’t swear.' I told her I can’t make that promise." He plans to keep the surprise for his friends by not telling them until they see him on TV. The new cast members will debut on series 28 of Gogglebox, which will air on Channel 4 at 9pm on Friday. Their inclusion marks a significant moment for the show, highlighting diversity and inclusion in television programming.