Former Gogglebox star Sandra Martin's sister has passed away.

Sandra, who quit the show a month ago after her on-screen partner Sandi Bogle left, announced the sad news earlier this week via social media.

"MY SISTER PASSED AWAY THIS MORNING. SHE HAD DEMENTIA. AM ON MY WAY TO SEE HER AND FAMILY'S. WANT BE ON LINE FOR FEW DAYS. BUT AM OK EVERY 1," she wrote on Twitter.

The same day, Sandra then commented on Celebrity Big Brother as it aired and later had to defend the fact she was watching TV, writing: "MY SISTER WAS A FAN OF ME ON ALL TV SHOW. SO EVEN THOUGH SHE GONE.SHE WOULD OF SAID THE SAME TO CBB . SO AM JUST KEEP IT REAL. UGETME XXXX."

The following day, she added: "Morning all. AM ok..my sister is safely tucked away in God's grace. Last night I couldn't believe how much u can get mad during being sad."

Meanwhile, in a new interview, the 55-year old opened up about a big TV contract she’d been offered but remained tight-lipped about the exact details.

She told the Mail on Sunday : “I am gong to earn big money this year. I got a contract with a big TV show I am not allowed to talk about. When I was on Gogglebox, I could only work for them. But everyone wants me now that I have left.”

Sandra appeared on Gogglebox from the very first series back in 2013, alongside her best mate Sandi – who is currently in the Celebrity Big Brother house.

After Sandi, 51, made the decision to leave the show last year, she was replaced by Sandra’s daughter Chanchez.

But Sandra admitted the show wasn’t the same for her without her best friend. Opening up last month, she said: "Sandi left last year, she's my bonafide, my TV partner."

"My daughter came on after, and I always said it wouldn't have been the same with her, as there are certain subjects I couldn't discuss.

"Watching (sex) with my daughter wasn't the same, as it's difficult to talk about (sex) with my daughter."