The Siddiqui family — Sid, Baasit, Umar, and Raza — have been a beloved part of Gogglebox since the show’s first series in 2013. Based in Derby, the family quickly became audience favourites, known for their witty observations and hilarious commentary on the week’s biggest TV moments. Their mother, Nasreen, has chosen not to appear on screen, preferring to stay behind the scenes.
This past weekend, the family celebrated a very special occasion: Sid Siddiqui turned 81. The official Siddiquis Instagram account posted a heartfelt message, saying: “Happy Birthday Dad aka Sid. Wishing you the most wonderful day! We love you.” They added that Sid had already enjoyed a little cake before filming, with a proper birthday get-together planned for the following week. Fans flooded social media with messages of love, calling Sid a “wonderful man, father and grandfather” and wishing him a joyous year ahead.
Away from the cameras, the Siddiquis lead relatively normal lives. Sid is retired from engineering, Raza works in hospitality management, Umar is a microbiologist, and Baasit teaches IT.
Their journey on Gogglebox began unexpectedly. Sid explained that they initially intended to participate for only a year. In an interview with Radio Times, Umar shared how their audition went: they were shown flashcards of public figures, including Boris Johnson and Simon Cowell, and asked to say the first thing that came to mind. The family’s natural dynamic impressed the producers, and they were invited to continue — which they happily did. Filming typically takes around six hours over two days each week, while partners and children remain off-camera.
Nasreen has previously spoken about her choice to stay behind the scenes: “It’s not something for me, I don’t speak very good English and I’m very shy. It’s best left to the boys. You won’t get me on the TV.”
From their spontaneous audition to becoming household names, the Siddiquis continue to delight audiences with their humour, warmth, and authenticity — both on and off the sofa.