Channel 4’s Gogglebox returned for series 27 on Friday night (February 6) with an emotional tribute to Jonathan Clough.Julia Hunt and Ambarish Awale Trainee Trends, Showbiz and Lifestyle Writer
23:00, 06 Feb 2026
Gogglebox returned for its 27th series on Friday and paid tribute to a TV producer who died from a brain tumour.(Image: Channel 4)
Gogglebox honoured the memory of a TV producer who lost his battle with a brain tumour as the programme kicked off its latest run.
The Channel 4 stalwart returned to screens with its 27th series on Friday evening (February 6).
Jonathan was diagnosed with Grade 4 glioblastoma, an aggressive and incurable form of brain cancer, in March 2024 while preparing to begin a new filming role that would have taken him to Alaska.
Following his diagnosis and treatment, his family relocated from London to Wigan to be closer to relatives and support networks.
A photo of Jonathan Clough appeared at the end of the episode with a tribute reading “In memory of Jonathan Clough 1989 to 2025.”(Image: Channel 4 screengrab)
In September last year, Tracy shared that Jonathan had been well enough to see his eldest daughter start school. He died on Boxing Day, with his friend Sam Swainsbury confirming the news.
At the episode’s conclusion, a photograph of Jonathan Clough appeared on screen, accompanied by the message: “In memory of Jonathan Clough” alongside the years 1989 to 2025.
The producer had received a diagnosis of Grade 4 Glioblastoma in 2024, aged just 35.
A fundraising initiative had been set up to help Jonathan, whose television work also featured Strictly Come Dancing and The Apprentice, in obtaining specialist care. Actor Sam Swainsbury launched the GoFundMe appeal following a request from the family, reports the Mirror.
Following his diagnosis, the producer and his partner, Tracy Martin, were forced to step away from their jobs and move with their two young children from London to Wigan to live with her parents.
On the GoFundMe page, Tracy detailed how their existence was transformed after Jonathan suddenly collapsed from a seizure in March 2024.
She shared: “Two months after that, the results of an MRI brought our world crashing down. Our brilliant Jonathan, at only 35 years old, was diagnosed with a Grade 4 Glioblastoma – an extremely aggressive and incurable brain cancer.”
Jonathan received surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy, though later scans revealed a tumour regrowth that medical professionals considered beyond surgical intervention. In January, Sam shared the heartbreaking news on Instagram that Jonathan had passed away on Boxing Day.
“He saw his daughter’s first day at school,” he said. “He then made it to her first play. He then made it to Christmas. He then sadly passed on Boxing Day. He fought for every last second. He exceeded all expectations. He was extraordinary.
“I don’t have many more words than that,” he said. “I still can’t believe it.”
Ex-Strictly professional Kevin Clifton was amongst those who honoured Jonathan’s memory, who worked as a producer on the BBC dance competition between 2017 and 2019.
Posting photographs of Jonathan online, he expressed: “An amazing friend, an amazing man, an amazing father and a heck of a fighter for his amazing family. I will miss you forever [heartbroken emoji].”