Former Gogglebox star Josh Tapper has secured victory in the 2026 local elections, claiming a Labour council seat in Barnet’s Underhill ward with 1,128 votes.
The 28-year-old, who rose to prominence on the Channel 4’s show nearly a decade ago, was elected alongside fellow Labour candidate Zahra Beg on Friday.
His younger sister Amy, 26, celebrated the news on Instagram Stories, posting a photograph of her brother with the message: “My brother is officially a Councillor! So so proud.”
The win marks a triumphant moment for Mr Tapper, who has spent years building a career in public service since departing the beloved sofa-based programme.
Amy Tapper shared a post about her brother Josh
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The Tapper family became household names when they joined Gogglebox for its inaugural series in 2013.
Josh appeared alongside his parents Nikki and Jonathan and sister Amy, and was just 15 years old when cameras first captured the North London family offering their verdicts on the week’s television.
Their witty observations quickly made them viewer favourites, with audiences tuning in weekly to watch their reactions.
The family’s path to the programme came through an unexpected route – Josh’s grandmother had initially put Nikki forward for a different Channel 4 production.
The Tappers starred on the Channel 4 show from 2013 to 2018
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CHANNEL 4
When that opportunity fell through, a casting director contacted Nikki seeking a nuclear family for the new format.
Despite initial reluctance from Jonathan, they agreed to participate in what was planned as a four-week trial.
Mr Tapper departed Gogglebox in 2017 after securing a Civil Service apprenticeship, with the rest of his family continuing on the programme until 2018.
Reflecting on his television years, he told Jewish News in 2022: “I spent the next five years living that life while also trying to live a normal life. But I was the guy who was on TV. My days were long as we were filming the scenes in addition to school.”
Josh Tapper has become a Labour Councillor
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His path to elected office was not without setbacks.
In the 2022 local elections, he narrowly missed winning a seat in Edgwarebury ward, falling short by a mere 43 votes.
Two years later, he contested the Hertsmere constituency as Labour’s parliamentary candidate in the general election, finishing as runner-up.
Friday’s result finally delivered the breakthrough he had been pursuing.
Gogglebox Tapper family
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GETTY
Throughout his campaign, Mr Tapper emphasised his commitment to a different approach to politics, pledging to represent every constituent regardless of their previous voting history.
He spoke of raising standards in public life and demonstrating that “we can have something fundamentally better.”
His campaign focused on economic improvement for families, increased police presence to tackle antisocial behaviour and burglaries, and NHS recovery.
He also championed Labour’s Great British Energy initiative and breaking down barriers to opportunity.