A Brighton family has been kicked off the hit TV programme Gogglebox after the dad revealed he was to stand as a UKIP candidate at next year’s General Election.

Andrew Michael, 55, his wife Carolyne, 53, and their children Louis, 17, and Alex, 24, have been regulars on the Channel 4 show in which families review the week’s television.

However, station bosses said the family could no longer appear on the show after Andrew announced he would be standing as a UKIP candidate in Hastings and Rye.

In a statement Channel 4 thanked the family for their “excellent contributors” but said case members could not be party candidates.

Mum Carolyne took to Twitter to thank fans for their support.

She said: “It’s with g8t sadness that we must say goodbye to the wonderful Gogglebox family. Andy entering politics so can no longer stay with it.

“We've loved every min of our involvement. It's the best show on TV & I want to thank everyone for their wonderful support we'll miss u.

“Wishing everyone a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year with love and all our heartfelt thanks from all the Michael family.”