The Baggs family have denied reports that they were dropped from the new series of Gogglebox because of a "viewer backlash".

A report in the Daily Star earlier this week claimed that the Essex-based family had been axed by producers after just one series because they had not made a good impression with the audience.

According to eldest son Joe Baggs, however, they were unable to take part in the new run, which started last week, due to a camera shortage.

"Frustrating to address this but we weren't dropped," he told his Instagram followers.

"Due to the lockdown there aren't enough cameras to go round to the entire cast and therefore we decided as a family to take a series off.

"Of course there was criticism about us, the producers said this happens to all new families so it's not uncommon and not a reason for people to get cut from the show."

Gogglebox continues Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4.