Sandra Martin (right) appeared on Gogglebox with her good friend Sandi Bogle (Picture: Channel 4)

Gogglebox legend Sandra Martin has resorted to claiming benefits after parting ways with her friend and co-star Sandi Bogle on the show seven years ago.

The television personality, 61, skyrocketed to fame on the Channel 4 programme in 2013 after appearing on the first-ever episode of the series alongside her pal.

Together, the pair enjoyed three years on the sofa together until 2016 when Sandi, 58, quit Gogglebox to seek out other career opportunities, which included a stretch on Celebrity Big Brother.

Rumours of a rift between the pair started the swirl following Sandi’s departure, which was difficult for Sandra to deal with.

‘It was hard,’ Sandra admitted. ‘I had a panic attack, thinking I was going to go back on benefits.’

The pair were fan favourites on the Channel 4 show until Sandi’s departure in 2016 (Picture: Channel 4)

Sandra is now back on benefits after leaving Gogglebox in 2018 (Picture: Rex)

Sandra found another friend to go on Gogglebox with her but claims that bosses weren’t keen on having someone with an American accent.

Instead, she decided to continue the show alongside her daughter, Chanchez Martin, but the move came with its own set of obstacles.

Sandra shared: ‘I didn’t want to talk about sex in front of my daughter on the TV, and I was also getting a lot of backlash like, “Where’s Sandi?”’

She continued to The Sun: ‘I could’ve stayed, they offered me real money, but s*** happens.’

Eventually, Sandra quit Gogglebox in 2018, but now she is back on benefits she regrets her decision to leave.

But she is grateful to the Channel 4 show for giving her a platform, which she uses to raise money for charitable causes.

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And despite a perceived fallout, Sandra and Sandi remain close mates, with Sandi insisting that they remain ‘besties’.

‘No matter what we go through, she’s always got a room here for her, and she’s always got a room for me,’ she told the publication.

Gogglebox airs Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4.

Metro.co.uk contacted Gogglebox reps for comment.

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She quit the Channel 4 show in 2018.