A GOGGLEBOX star has announced the show will return earlier than expected next year.

Earlier this month, Jenny Newby and Lee Riley confirmed the latest series of the hit Channel 4 show had come to an end.

Lee also let slip a potential return date for season 19 after he said he will see fans again in February.

However, Stephen Webb, from Brighton, has announced a Christmas special is due to air on January 2, 2022.

Announcing the Gogglebox Christmas Festive Special on his Instagram, Stephen, who appears on the show alongside husband Daniel Lustig-Webb, revealed the one-off episode will air at 9pm.

The standalone episode will see the cast of Gogglebox watch Jamie: Together at Christmas, Love Actually, James Bond No Time to Die and more.

Stephen, who has been a fan favourite on the show since the first series in 2013, runs Lustig and Webb salon in Hurstpierpoint.

Prior to opening his hair salon, Stephen trained with Toni and Guy and worked with them for 15 years in locations across the world, including Dubai, London and Brighton.

Earlier this year, Gogglebox fans were left sunned after Stephen revealed his age ahead of his birthday.

He shocked viewers after sharing an image on Instagram of a jar of sweets with 'Happy 50th birthday Stephen' written on it.

Stephen has amassed more than 150,000 Instagram followers.