Gogglebox has given viewers endless laughs since it debuted in 2013.
The series documents families and groups of friends around the United Kingdom who are filmed for their observations and reactions to the previous week’s television from their own homes.
It first launched nine years ago and the show is currently set to air its nineteenth series on Friday, February 18.
The show was narrated by Caroline Aherne from its launch until her death in April 2016, after which Craig Cash took over.
Caroline died of lung cancer at her home in Timperley at the age of 52.
She had told family and close friends in May that she was terminally ill.
(Image: Getty Images)
Caroline’s private funeral took place on 14 July 2016 with many friends and co-stars in attendance.
There have also been some sad times, with the award-winning Channel 4 show losing several cast members over the years.
In 2021 alone, Gogglebox said farewell to three of its much-loved armchair critics.
Daily Star have taken a look back at some of the show’s much-loved stars who are no longer with us.
Leon Bernicoff
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Leon and his wife June were the first members of the public to be cast when the show started nine years ago, so it hit fans hard when he passed away.
The TV star died shortly before Christmas in 2017, at the age of 83, after a short illness.
The programme said in a statement at the time that Leon’s “unique personality and sharp wit endeared him to fans” and that he would be dearly missed.
“To those of us that knew him personally, Leon was a man of unwavering principles who exerted a distinct paternal presence both on and off screen,” the statement said.
Leon’s death triggered an outpouring of grief on social media, with viewers called the retired teacher the “grandfather of Gogglebox”.
June Bernicoff
(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Three years later, Leon’s widow June died aged 82.
The star passed away in May 2020 with her family by her side after an illness.
June had left the programme after Leon died, and went on to write a book about their 60-year relationship.
Gogglebox producer Tania Alexander posted a message on Twitter saying she was “absolutely heartbroken” about June.
“June & Leon were the #Gogglebox originals & a huge part of the show’s success,” she tweeted.
“I adored them both.”
Pete McGarry
(Image: Getty Images)
Last summer the show said goodbye to Pete, who had been a firm favourite with viewers as he dished out his opinions alongside his wife Linda.
Pete – who had been with Gogglebox since the start of the second series in 2013 – died in June 2021.
The show said at the time that it was “deeply saddened” that the 71-year-old had died after a short illness, and highlighted how he and Linda had fostered over 100 children over the years.
Like what you see? Then fill your boots…
There’s MUCH more where that came from! Want all the jaw-dropping stories from the world of showbiz and up to the minute news from TV and soaps?
Well, we’ve got you covered with our showbiz, TV and soaps newsletters – they’ll drop straight into your inbox and you can unsubscribe whenever you like.
We’ll bring you the inside track from telly expert Ed Gleave and soap specialist Sasha Morris. Oh, and your daily fix of Piers, Katie Price, Demi Rose and all your other Daily Star favs.
You can sign up here – you won’t regret it…
It was later confirmed that Pete had been battling cancer.
Linda told The Sun that he died of bowel cancer just days after being told he had six months to live.
“Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years,” she said.
“I said to him, ‘We’ve not only been 25 years, it’s been day and night with each other.’ He was my life.”
Mary Cook
(Image: Channel 4)
Mary passed away in August 2021, just weeks after Pete died.
The Bristol resident, who had been on the show since 2016, was 92.
A statement from Channel 4 and production company Studio Lambert said: “We are extremely saddened to share that Gogglebox star Mary Cook passed away in hospital this weekend at the age of 92 with her family by her side.
“Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear friend to many, Mary, who worked in the hospitality trade, had been married and widowed twice.”
Mary had appeared on the programme with her friend Marina Wingrove.
Andy Michael
(Image: PA)
Andy’s death was announced in the same week as Mary’s.
The hotelier, who appeared on the very first episode of Gogglebox, died after an illness aged 61.
In a statement, the show said he was “a much-loved and respected member of the Gogglebox family”.
The statement also said Andy – who appeared on the series with his family – had “brought much wit and insight” to the programme over the years.
Gogglebox airs Fridays on Channel 4 at 9pm
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newslettershere.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
