Gogglebox viewers were left in hysterics on Friday after two of the show’s favourite stars said they had no idea who Charles Dickens was.

The famed author who wrote Olive Twist was brought up during the episode as couples watch a selection of the weeks telly.

During the episode Abbie Lynn turned to her pal Georgia Bell and asked: ‘Do you know who Charles Dickens is?’. 

‘Do I hell’ Georgia exclaimed to which Abbie proffered: ‘I think he writes a book called Twit and T****’. 

The duo appeared totally confused by the exchange and then went on to try and work out who in fact wrote the rudely titled novel. 

LOL: Gogglebox viewers were left in hysterics on Friday after Abbie Lynn (left) and Georgia Bell (right) said they had no idea who Charles Dickens was

History: The famed author who wrote Olive Twist was brought up during the episode as couples watch a selection of the weeks telly (Mark Lester pictured in the 1968 adaptation Oliver!’

Racing to Twitter one fan wrote: ‘They don’t know who Charles Dickens is… ??!’.

While a second said: ‘I’m sorry bit you can’t live in England and not have heard of Charles Dickens. [Oliver] Twist is a school staple. 5 different versions of Christmas Carol are on every year. What school did these girls go to?’. 

With a third commenting: ‘The innocence of youth, they do make me laugh’ and a fourth said: ‘Twit and t*** I can’t cope’.

While another bemoaned: ‘I am in despair – do none of these people know Charles Dickens, even less read his books’.

While someone else joked: ‘They probably think Charles Dickens is a porn star’. 

The author was born in 1812 and wrote a whole host of classic stories including Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol, he dies in 1870 aged just 58. 

It comes after disappointed viewers of the latest Great Expectations adaption said they had to ‘switch over’ when watching the first episode of the BBC1 series last month.

Those who tuned in to the series based on the 1861 novel complained that it was ‘too dark’, featured too much swearing and was ‘unrecognisable’ from the original tale. 

Hysterics: Racing to Twitter one fan wrote: ‘They don’t know who Charles Dickens is… ??!’

The man himself: The author was born in 1812 and wrote a whole host of classic stories including Great Expectations and A Christmas Carol, he dies in 1870 aged just 58

Written by Peaky Blinders creator Stephen, the novel has been given a new twist, but those watching this version at home were left unimpressed. 

The series stars Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham – who is portrayed as an opium addict – while Fionn Whitehead stars as Pip, Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella, Ashley Thomas as Mr Jaggers and Johnny Harris as Magwitch. 

One wrote on Twitter in reaction after the first instalment: ‘#GreatExpectations Too dark, too sweary, too unrecognisable’.

Another said: ‘ Why does the BBC have to include the ‘f’ word constantly even in a Dickens story? #GreatExpectations.’

A third said: ‘That whirring sound is Charles Dickens spinning in his grave. WTF BBC? #GreatExpectations.’

Another said: ‘I’m not feeling #Greatexpectations here. Feeling the need to turn it off!’

Oh no: It comes after disappointed viewers of the latest Great Expectations adaption said they had to ‘switch over’ when watching the first episode of the BBC1 series last month (Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham)

Not happy: Those who tuned in to the adaptation of Charlies Dickens’ 1861 novel complained that it was ‘too dark’, featured too much swearing and was unrecognisable from the original tale (young Pip is pictured) 

After just a few minutes another said: ‘Already hit the off button #GreatExpectations.’

Another wrote: ‘Not a great start so far. This is less an adaptation than a confection! Why does the BBC think it has the creative ability to improve Dickens? It really hasn’t! Rant over. #GreatExpectations.’

A different disappointed viewer said: ‘Well, I managed to watch 18 minutes … and that was enough. Now over to Netflix #GreatExpectations.’

Someone else said: ‘Not all that much like the book so far. #GreatExpectations.’

Another said: ‘New #GreatExpectations isn’t terribly good…’ 

However there were a few who enjoyed the episode, with one saying: ‘Different, exciting, brilliant interpretation. Absolutely fabulous.’

Cast: The series stars Olivia Colman as Miss Havisham (pictured) – who is portrayed as an opium addict – while Fionn Whitehead stars as Pip, Shalom Brune-Franklin as Estella, Ashley Thomas as Mr Jaggers and Johnny Harris as Magwitch

Another said: ‘I enjoyed the first episode of #GreatExpectations after reading some comments on Twitter. Some folk are very quick to review/criticise or expect so much at once.’

A third said: ‘That was a quick hour. Really enjoyed that!’

Great Expectations is the second Dickens adaptation penned by Steven, following the hit limited series A Christmas Carol.

Author Charles first released the work in a series of weekly chapters beginning in December 1860, before it was subsequently published as a novel.

His famous novel follows the story of Pip, who lives with his sister Mrs Joe Gargery and her blacksmith husband Joe.

The bitter Miss Havisham engineers a meeting between the young Pip and Estella with a view to having him fall in love with her so she can break his heart.

Line of Duty actress Shalom plays the aloof and enigmatic Estella, who becomes Pip’s obsession.

Steven adapted Dickens’ A Christmas Carol for the BBC in 2019, starring Guy Pearce as Scrooge.