Offaly family ready to star on popular TV show

An Offaly family is about to become television stars, as the Stynes family, from Rhode, prepares to feature as Gogglebox Ireland returns to Virgin Media PLAY and Virgin Media One tomorrow night (Wednesday).

The Stynes family is one of two new additions to the show's latest series – its 12th in total - along with Shane and Conor O'Donnell from Shannon, in county Clare.

The Offaly family will be represented by siblings Ciara and Paul, and their mother Pia.

Pia works in community care, while Paul is studying to become a teacher and spends much of his free time playing football.

Ciara works in community development and teaches music in her spare time, with interests ranging from traditional music to techno. In fact, it was Ciara's impulsive decision to apply for Gogglebox Ireland that landed the family on the couch.

While Paul is a devoted Love Island fan and Ciara prefers drama and entertainment shows, Pia's love of Emmerdale has become something of a running joke in the household, with her children claiming they have grown to dread the sight of the iconic jeep in the opening credits.

The new families will join many of the familiar faces that viewers have come to know over the years, as another season of reactions, lively sofa debates and unforgettable TV moments gets underway.

Watch Gogglebox Ireland (season 12) on Wednesday, September 16 at 9pm on Virgin Media PLAY and Virgin Media One.