A PAIR of Renfrewshire schoolkids are set to star in a children’s version of hit television series Gogglebox.

Best pals Ollie Barr and Olivia Buchanan, both 10, have already taken part in filming for the new show, to be broadcast on the CBBC channel.

Renfrew boy Ollie and Paisley girl Olivia are among children from across the UK asked to become pint-sized TV critics.

Olivia’s proud mum Vicki Mitchell told The Gazette: “We have been told it is a cross between Gogglebox and You’ve Been Framed, where the kids talk about funny clips they are shown and comment on programmes they have watched.

“They don’t have a name for it yet but we’ve been told it will be going out this time next year.”

The Gazette:

Filming took place over two days at various locations, including Olivia’s home and in Glasgow.

Ollie and Olivia are both members of the Paisley-based PACE Theatre Company, which has produced stars such as Hollywood actor James McAvoy, Bodyguard lead Richard Madden and singer-songwriter Paulo Nutini over the years.

Ahead of filming taking place, producers at CBBC – the channel run by the BBC for children aged six to 17 – contacted PACE, who were happy to recommend Ollie and Olivia for starring roles.

Vicki, who is a former dance teacher, helped out by filming a clip of the pair telling funny stories about themselves to impress the CBBC team.

“The producers said they loved their audition and wanted to offer them the opportunity to appear on the show,” added Vicki, whose daughter is also a successful highland dancer and competes at shows across the country.

The Gazette:

“We have been told there will be around 30 episodes and Olivia and Ollie will be in 15 of those.

“Both of them are over the moon about being involved and it is a great opportunity for them, as they hope to go into acting professionally when they are grown up.

“Olivia has wanted to be an actress since she was four years old.”

Gogglebox has been a smash hit for Channel 4 in recent years, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch people sitting in front of a television set and commenting on programmes they have just watched.

A celebrity version of the show, starring the likes of Eamonn Holmes, Shaun Ryder and Denise van Outen, has also proved hugely popular.