Mark Berry, better known as Bez from the Happy Mondays, has revealed that he typically consumes alcohol while filming the popular Channel 4 series 'Celebrity Gogglebox'. The musician, who has been a staple of the show alongside bandmate Shaun Ryder since its debut in 2019, shared that he finds it necessary to be 'pissed' to participate.
Speaking about his filming routine, Bez explained that the production team provides an assortment of alcoholic beverages, including Jameson Irish Whiskey, Guinness, and various lagers. He described the experience as enjoyable, stating that he and Ryder 'love it' and get 'paid for having a good laugh and getting pissed with your mate watching the TV shows'. Their segments are typically filmed in Ryder's home in Salford, often featuring the pair with pints of beer and snacks.
Despite his long-standing involvement, Bez also admitted that he has never watched an episode of 'Celebrity Gogglebox'. He cited a dislike for hearing his own voice, expressing that he finds himself sounding 'stupid' and 'thick', which he finds frustrating. This revelation comes after seven years of being on the programme, which has garnered him and Ryder a significant following for their candid and often humorous commentary on the week's television.
The celebrity spin-off of the BAFTA-winning 'Gogglebox' format continues to feature a rotating cast of well-known personalities. Alongside Bez and Ryder, recent series have included pairs such as Vernon Kay and Paddy McGuinness, Roman and Martin Kemp, and Rylan with his mother Linda. The current series has also seen new additions, including 'Gladiators' stars Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (Nitro) and Matt Morsia (Legend), as well as Olivia Attwood and her mother Jennifer.
Bez and Ryder's band, Happy Mondays, rose to prominence in the Eighties with their unique blend of post-punk and dance music. Despite changes in band members over the decades, the group continues to tour, performing hits like '24 Hour Party People', 'Step On', and 'Kinky Afro'. Shaun Ryder recently spoke about the band's neurodiversity, suggesting that many members, including Bez, exhibit traits of conditions like ADHD, which he believes contributed to their unique dynamic.