sandi

We chat to the Goggle Box star Sandi Bogle.

She may be known for sitting in front the
television but theres a lot more to Sandi than
meets the eye.
Words - Lucinda King
Photography - Zo Michelle
MUA - Grace Sinnott

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SANDI GOGGLEBOX

There are hugs all round as we all manage to find each other after our complicated
commutes. Sandi has arrived an hour early and has already explored the area. She could
be spotted easily sitting in the caf window as she is wearing an orange patterned jumpsuit,
which is vintage, along with her long shiny black hair with red ombre tips.

Our shoot takes place in Limehouse, East London, which is an area of London that
none of us had even heard of before let alone been too. After meeting in the caf we head
to our first location. The Apple Apartments Limehouse on Commercial Road. Make yourself
at home, Sandi jokes as we have a nose through each room. Were impressed with how
bright the apartment is considering the Limehouse area itself is fairly commercialised and the
streets are home to dark brick buildings.

A large array of make up is scattered across the table. Oh look shes got my colours! Sandi is clearly excited as she sits down to have her make up done. Sandi is extremely
friendly and her personality no different to when we watch her on the television. Were able
to chat like weve known each other for a long time and theres always something to laugh
about. We joke about how people are always spelling our names wrong as they both end in
a I not a Y.

Most people will know Sandi from the BAFTA award winning Channel 4 reality show
Gogglebox where she watches television with her best friend Sandra. The show has been on
our screens since 2013 and is now in its seventh series. As well as five other families (including Steph & Dom and The Siddiquis) Sandi and Sandra have been on the show since the
beginning. The two fabulous ladies were discovered for the show on a normal outing to the
pub. Yeah well were the loudest,she joshes and the rest is history. Gogglebox has won
many awards including a BPG, NTA and a BAFTA all for best factual programme. Did Sandi
ever think the show would be as successful as its become when she first started? I dont
think anybody did. Nobody expects anything to happen on a big scale. The last series had
over 4 millions viewers so its safe to say it is a big hit! Once somebody tells you about it
and they watch it the once, thats it. Its over for them. Cause they become addicted. Something we are all guilty of!

Gogglebox is a show surrounded by television but the main focus is about the families. Theres at least somebody in one of the families that you can relate to. Anyone who
watches the show will have their favourite families and individuals but Sandi reveals that
even though she doesnt get to watch the show all the time, there are no favourites with her.
Whats surprising is that even though Sandi has been on the show for 3 years she has never
met with any of the other families on the show! Changes all the concept of it being Gogglebox. Then it wouldnt be the same really. A big selling point of Gogglebox is that the families are from different parts of the country so it would probably be quite difficult for them all
to meet with each other.Although while she was congratulating winners of the London Marathon a month prior she did nearly bump into Baasit Siddiqui as he crossed the finish line.

With seven series of the show behind her I ask if there are any favourite moments she
had whilst sitting on the sofa with her best friend. The mouse and bat. referring to when
there was a mouse in the house and when Sandra electrocuted herself on the electric fly
swat. And me riding the horse in Grand National, she adds. An event which gets all of the
families excited and has become a reoccurring showing in the Gogglebox calendar. Im still
getting tweets on that!Within our discussions of Gogglebox and television Sandi mentions
that Gogglebox now has an app. A game you can play which features the families.Its kind
of cool. My daughters got really high [level]on it. And we say all our little slang words. You

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get me babes. Liberty!

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SANDI GOGGLEBOX

As well as being known for their catchphrases and hilarious moments on Gogglebox
both Sandra and Sandi are known for their colourful dress sense. As well as her jumpsuit Sandi is wearing an array of large bejazzled rings which tell a story all by themselves. I love
fashion. A point that is made evident when Sandi receives a phone call from a friend asking if she wants a particular dress. A black and white bodycon dress that Sandi said yes to
straight away. Really nice friends of minethink of mewhen they go shopping and theysend
me [photos of]different outfits. We discussed different shops where we get our clothes from
but Sandi had one definitive answer. My friend owns her own boutique.Catch 22.Finsbury
Park.Thats where I go for all my clothes.She looks after me, Dina, such a lovely lady.Ive
been going to her for years and she gets me my beautiful gowns if I go to awards or if Ive
got an event she looks after me. Sandi said that even though shes had others come to her
and ask her to wear their clothes she will always have loyalty to her friend. She knows what
to put on me! Any pictures that you see out there, the dresses I wear are through her most of
the time. If its a small venue I just put something of my own. But I mean if its a bigger event
she does do it for me.If you wanted to see images of Sandis attire at events shes been to
then there would be plenty to choose from. She has been seen at a wide range of award
ceremonies, charity events and film premiers which keep her busy in between watching TV for
our entertainment. I do the Screen Nations every year and the Black Beauty awards ceremony. I presented it year before last. Ive seen the premiers of The Thief with Charles Venn
andA.W.O.L with Fredi Kruga.

Sandi is also a serious theatre goer and spends a lot of the time in Londons West
End. Ive been to Thriller 10 times,my godson used play Michael Jackson. He has since
grown out of the role but the show is still one of Sandis favourites. As were talking about
theatre she decided that she will go and see Les Misrables later that evening. Shes is also a
fan of the musical Motown and she managed to coincidently bump into one of the stars from
the show. I was on my way to see Motown but I ended up going to this eventandI met the
star of Motown!I didnt know he was in it and he didnt know that I got tickets.His name is
Charl Brown and he won a Tony Award. Hes really big!He said I had a kind heart.I was
meant to meet him that day!

When going to such prestigious events and awards a lot of shoulder rubbing with
celebrities must take place. I ask Sandi who shes met. Simon Cowell, yeah whatever we see
him all the time. She laughs. His brothers really nice as well and his brothers wife. Sandi
struggles to think of names. Ive met so many lovely people!Bob Geldof was very nice, had
a lovely conversation with him. Ant and Dec!Everybody is so nice. I think because were
such happy people, if they are, theyll come forward. I imagine that anyone who bumps into
Sandi would always have a smile on their face.

As were talking Sandi phone buzzes. Courtney the Actor she says before picking
up the phone. The two are discussing the premier that Sandi is attending at the weekend for
the film Antwerp Dolls.(One of the stars of the film being Courtney Winston.) They appear
to be discussing transport to the event and dress code. Sandi cheekily asks Your next movie
babe can I be in it? Followed by her infectious laugh. After lots of darlings and sending her
love she puts down the phone. Hollywood calling she jokes. Phone calls with known actors
must be one of the perks of the job Youre getting the other side of Sandi Bogle, she says,
proving that she doesnt sit and watch TV all day.

Whilst on the phone Sandi asked Courtney if he heard her singing. It turns out that
Sandi has a strong desire for singing that she feels really passionate about. I love singing
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MEKX PHOTOGRAPHY
SANDI GOGGLEBOX

I just love it, its just in my blood.Sandi performs at clubs and events all over the country
I do a lot of gay clubs. I normally go to Manchester, Birmingham, Brighton, I do a lot of in
Thornton Heath. She also asks her fans on social media if there is any karaoke located near
to where she is at the time and shell go. Wherever I hear music, Ill be there!Even as we
chat Sandi occasionally break out into song. I just didnt take it serious when I was younger
because I wasnt allowed to, education came first. Even though Sandi wasnt able to pursue
her singing dreams in her childhood she has recently recorded a song in her friends studio.
Her reggae cover of Karyn Whites Superwoman has now reached over six thousand views.

Sandi has been singing since the age of three. She even had the opportunity to sing at
the Blackpool Tower. I ask Sandi if she wishes she had continued her singing dreams when she
was younger.

No. Because I dont think I would have made it so far as I am now. I most probably
would have end up doing something completely different. It might not have been as exciting. I
think everything is for a reason

Its clear there is a spiritual side to Sandi. She says, Your destiny is already paved. So
I think wherever it takes you, thats where you are suppose to.I thank God everyday. I love
God!Hes got me through a lot.

With the makeup complete Sandi is wearing an elegant cat eye with winged liner and
a nude lip. She has also fashioned her long hair into a bun that draws all the attention to
what shes wearing. As the shoot commences Sandi is a natural and loving her time with the
camera. You can tell she is enjoying herself but is taking the job at hand seriously. What really
came across whist talking to Sandi is how important this shoot is to her. This is what I want to
do. I want people to know me as well as other stuff I do, not that I just sit on a sofa.

The apartment offers plenty of opportunity to take photos resulting in wonderful bright
shots. Im normally used to the catwalk. She jokes. This isnt Sandis first time modelling. She
has taken to the catwalk forModels Of Diversitysfashion show. An organisation that encourages people from all walks of life to love themselves. Sandis contribution to help others
doesnt stop there. She is also involved in lots charity work. Im an ambassador for
Bonded Thru Cancer, a cause close to her heart especially as her mum passed away from
cancer.

A week prior Sandi played in a Charity football match for Celeb FC. An organisation that helps raise money for charities by arranging football matches between celebrities.
Babes! I sprained my ankle. she jests, I did tackle one of the women who organised the
event. She got me back, she came after me and I fell over and sprained my ankle. We won
3:0 and we done the candy dance for the victory dance

As well as these wonderful causes Sandi spent last Christmas Day, along with Sandra
and her daughters, at an old peoples home. We took them some presents and spent the
whole Christmas weekend there with them. Sandi used to workat the old peoples home for
people with dementia.

Its nice because most of my friends are still back in there.You get to catch up and
they watch me. Plus going back to a lot of community centres, visiting old people homes, doing the bingo with them. Its a nice thing.

She also goes back to the school where she taught for4years in Bristol. She also
gets the chance to see past students who all watch her on Gogglebox.Theyre about in their
20s now and theyre all grown! They may now all be adult but they still call Sandi Miss.

Sandi mentions that these were her favourite places to work but it turns out she has
done a wide range of different jobs throughout her life.

My first ever job was working in Harrods. Then I opened up my first Antique shop in

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Hackney.I sold it because I opened up a barbers and hair salon in Brixton. Gave that to
my sister. Then I opened up a car show room, with my partner.A lollypop lady and a dinner lady.God Ive done it all babes!Which is most certainly the case! The phrase been
there, done that certainly comes to mind!

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SANDI GOGGLEBOX

Its difficult to imagine that a week previously Sandi was covered in mud on a football pitch. Especially as she looks so elegant in her outfit. The vintage look that Sandi is
going for is fully showcased by the plain white canvas the bedroom offers. Some great images are taken but as its a nice warm spring afternoon (which makes a change) so going
outside is the order of the day. So after make up is tidied away and we check everything
is as clean as we found it, we close the door on our two bedroom apartment and head
towards the DRL to a new location. After heading in the wrong direction we end up in
Canary Wharf, a very business affluent part of London. Skyscrapers holding headquarters to numerous companies tower over us while people in suits hurry past. There are a
plethora of photo opportunities in the area including plenty of greenery and the Thames.
Sandi works the camera just as well on location as she did in the apartment and seemed
to enjoy herself just as much.

While shooting a fan comes up and ask Sandi for a photo. Sandi is more than
happy to pose for a selfie and have a quick chat. I ask her what its like to be recognised.
I think its kind of cool.With her out there taking selfies with people everyday, is there
a pressure to look good all the time?

Nah because now I go out with my leggings, no make up whereas before I would
wear my rings. They say its not you cause youve got no rings on, but they recognise the
voice. They see the back of me. They wouldnt know until I open my mouth.

By this point we all have a serious hankering for food, so we head to an All Bar
One for lunch. We are able to review the photos that have been taken and Sandi is
extremely happy with the results. Pub sandwiches and salads are ordered and Sandi tries
to find a place to charge her phone. Her phone is always buzzing and pinging from calls
and notifications, whether it be from friends and family or fans on social media. With over
16 thousand combined followers on Twitter and Instagram she has a strong fan base who
are very interactive.

My fan base want to know who does my make up, where I get my clothes from.
What Im singing. Its mental! Social media is a great way for Sandi to be able to talk to
her fans.Every morning I send a good morning message to everybodyand wish all my
fans whose birthday it isa Happy Birthday. Sandi tell us stories about how she has rung
up fans to cheer up their day. One including ringing a fan on his Prom day and wishing
all him and his school friends a wonderful night. Its all about giving back. Its evident
Sandis fan base means a lot to her and she loves what she does.

You cant go wrong when you make people happy.You know when you put a
smile on people. When you have a stressful day, you watch Gogglebox, yousmile. A
wonderful attitude to have towards your work.

Our time together has come to end. Sandi is excited to go and see Les Misrables
and goes on to continue the rest of her day. As we part ways to head to our different
stations Sandi stands out for all the right reasons in her orange jumpsuit, as she walks into
the sea of suited business people at Canary Wharf station.

During my time with Sandi I have learnt how warm and welcoming she is. She is
very much a people person and loves that her job and just being herself bring joy to others. She is more than happy to help people and will do it with a smile on her face.
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