Gogglebox has been a fan-favourite reality TV show for more than ten years. Since then, we have sadly lost some cast members. The grief is especially difficult for die-hard fans, who relate to the stars as they feel they are a part of their lives. Today, we are remembering the beloved stars who have passed away in the last decade, including some original cast members.
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Mary Cook
In 2021, Gogglebox fans suffered a heartbreaking loss. Indeed, fan favourite Mary Cook passed away at the age of 92. She became famous for her duo with best friend Marina Wingrove when the pair appeared on the reality TV show together. Their witty comments and jolly personalities made them instantly likeable. In a statement released by Channel 4 on behalf of Mary Cook's family, producers Studio Lambert declared they were all 'extremely saddened' to share the news.
Mary will be sorely missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew. Our love and thoughts are with Mary's family, friends, and Marina. The family have asked for privacy at this sad time.
In a 2018 interview with the BBC, Mary Cook had explained being on the show had given her and Marina 'a new lease of life'. She said:
We always watch ourselves on Googlebox. I like to watch it to see if I have made a fool of myself... My family love me being on it. If I am bit naughty, they always tell me not to worry. I think people like us because we are old ladies and people relate to us as grandmothers and we are a bit cheeky.
Leon and June Bernicoff
In 2020, a double tragedy hit the reality TV show, leaving the nation heartbroken. Indeed, the fans' favourite couple, June and Leon Bernicoff, passed away relatively close to one another. The couple were passionate teachers, and they were particularly involved in helping pupils from the Salvation Army's children home. Leon Bernicoff sadly died only two days before Christmas in 2017, leaving his wife of 60 years devastated. June Bernicoff passed away three years later, in 2020. Paying tribute to the beloved couple, Channel 4 wrote in a statement:
As the first couple to be cast for Gogglebox back in 2013, June and her husband Leon were a huge part of the programme's success. Their warmth, wit and contrasting personalities endeared them to the nation during the course of the first 10 series.
Pat Webb
In January 2024, fans were left grieving for another beloved cast member. Pat Webb sadly passed away at the age of 75, due to a long-standing illness. The always enthusiastic mother from Brighton appeared on series 10 to 12, alongside her son, Stephen Lustig-Webb, until his husband Daniel joined the show. They announced they would not return for the 2024 season of Gogglebox last year. Following the passing of his mother, Stephen took to Instagram to share the sad news with Gogglebox fans. He wrote:
Mummy Pat, you were one in a million, took everyone at face value, would share your last fiver with a stranger, the salt of the earth and the absolute centre of our world! Rest in peace mum.
Channel 4 and the producers of the show also paid tribute to the beloved cast member, as they wrote on X:
Mummy Pat will be remembered and missed by her children Stephen, Denise, Sharon, Beverley and the extended family. Our thoughts are with the family who have requested privacy at this sad time.
Caroline Aherne
The original Gogglebox voiceover, Caroline Aherne, sadly passed away at the age of 52, in 2016. She had been battling an aggressive form of lung cancer, and she died alone in her Cheshire home, as many of her friends and family did not know just how sick she had been. Speaking to the Mirror after her death, one of Caroline Aherne's relatives explained:
It was too quick, we didn’t expect her to go. She was just at home. She left on her own.
As Caroline Aherne had been the voice of Gogglebox since the very beginning, she did not want to let her viewers down when she passed. Before she died, the actress and comedian asked her close friend and The Royle family co-star Craig Cash to take her place when she could not do it anymore. He told Radio Times:
In November 2013, when she was gravely ill with cancer, Caroline asked if I’d narrate Gogglebox when she wasn’t up to it. Of course, I said yes; it was a very sad time and I wanted to do right by her and by the programme. Caroline was well and then unwell, well and unwell, so I filled in whenever she needed me to.
George Gilbey
Another Gogglebox cast member had a particularly tragic ending. Indeed, George Gilbey died at only 40 years old, after a horrendous work-related accident. The 40-year-old appeared on the reality TV show on and off between 2013 and 2018, alongside his mother, Linda, and his step-father, Pete. Pete sadly passed away at the age of 71 in 2021. As an electrician, George Gilbey was working on a roof in March 2024 when he fell to his death through a plastic skylight. The 80-feet fall has officially been declared as his cause of death, as the autopsy revealed he died as a result of 'traumatic injury to head and torso consistent with fall from height'.
The 40-year-old's untimely death was announced by his Celebrity Big Brother co-star, Ricci Guarnacio, who wrote on X:
You are well and truly going to be missed my friend. Always lit up the room, cared for others and the memories we made I’ll cherish forever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you GG.
Read more:
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Gogglebox's Dave Griffiths addresses rumour he’s quitting the show: ‘No we are not leaving’
Sources used:
Mirror: Caroline Aherne's heartbreaking dying request to Royle Family co-star for Gogglebox
Rayo: Original Gogglebox cast: Where are they now?
BBC: Gogglebox star Mary Cook dies aged 92
ITV: Gogglebox star Pat Webb dies aged 75 after long illness as son pays tribute
BBC: Gogglebox star June Bernicoff dies aged 82
Heatworld: Gogglebox deaths: all the cast members we’ve sadly lost
