Gogglebox fans were left speechless after viewing the show’s 10-year anniversary special.
The popular Channel 4 TV programme, which originally introduced us to a new band of armchair reviewers in 2013, is celebrating a decade on screens.
Scarlett Moffatt, who went on to compete on I’m A Celebrity and Saturday Night Takeaway after leaving Gogglebox, is one of the show’s most well-known alumni.
Unfortunately, many armchair reviewers have left us and are not present today to celebrate the program’s birthday.
On Saturday night, a special trip down memory lane aired in honour of Gogglebox’s anniversary, reflecting on legendary moments and reminding us just how iconic the original actors were.
The late TV celebrities June and Leon Bernicoff, Pete McGarry, Mary Cook, and Andy Michael also appeared in the TV special.
Watching the stars return to their televisions triggered a flood of emotions for spectators, who were taken aback by how many had perished.
‘I can’t believe how many of them have passed, left or I’ve totally forgotten about. #Gogglebox is still one of, if not the best show on TV’, one viewer tweeted.
‘Oh June and Leon’, another penned, followed by a broken heart emoji.
‘Love remembering all the #Gogglebox lot, like Leon and June, with this special’, another wrote.
‘Mary and Marina were friendship goals’, hailed another.
The event also paid respect to original host Caroline Aherne, who died in July 2016 at the age of 52 from cancer.
‘Hearing Caroline Aherne and seeing Leon made me cry’, one viewer tweeted.
‘Caroline Aherne went far too early’, added another emotional tweeter.
Following Aherne’s death, her co-star from The Royle Family, Craig Cash, took over as showrunner, and he continues to do so today.
Let us pause to honour the Gogglebox stars we’ve lost along the road…
June and Leon Bernicoff
Leon died just before Christmas in 2017 at the age of 83, after a brief illness.
Unfortunately, his wife June died in May 2020 at the age of 82.
Tania Alexander, Executive Producer of Gogglebox, confirmed the news in a message that she published on social media.
‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox’s much-loved June Bernicoff died on May 5 at the age of 82 at home with her family at her side after a short illness,’ it said.
‘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.’
‘Following Leon’s passing in December 2017, June wrote her first book, Leon And June: Our Story, which was a deeply moving and entertaining chronicle of their 60 year love affair,’ they continued.
‘A remarkably independent, principled woman with a vivacious sense of humour and a huge passion for life.
‘June will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew. Despite her departure from the show in 2017, she remained a passionate supporter of the programme, watching it every week, and she was in regular contact with the production team.
‘Our thoughts are with June’s family – Helen and Ian, Julie and Marc, and her beloved grandchildren Frances, Sam and Faye.’
Pete McGarry
Pete died of cancer in June 2021, only days after being given six months to live.
The 71-year-old died at home in Essex, surrounded by his family, which included his wife Linda.
A statement denied that his death was related to Covid-19, with a message issued on behalf of the family reading: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox star Pete McGarry passed away at the age of 71 this weekend with his family by his side after a short illness.
‘Pete will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew.’
Mary Cook
In August 2021, beloved Mary died at the age of 92.
She originally appeared on the show in 2016, with her friend Marina Wingrove, and spent the following five years entertaining audiences with their humorous banter.
‘We are incredibly heartbroken to report that Gogglebox actress Mary Cook passed away in hospital this weekend at the age of 92, with her family at her side,’ Channel 4 said in a statement.
Confirming the devastating news of her death, Channel 4 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.
‘Bristolians Mary & Marina met at St Monica Trust retirement village over 10 years ago and had been friends ever since.
‘They joined Gogglebox in 2016 at the start of series eight and became instant fan favourites due to their brilliantly witty and often cheeky comments.’
Andy Michael
Andrew died in August 2021, at the age of 61, after a brief illness.
At the time, a statement issued by Channel 4 and Studio Lambert on behalf of his family stated that he died with his family by his side.
‘Retired hotelier Andy, who brought much wit and insight to Gogglebox, was one of the show’s original cast members, appearing in the very first episode in 2013.
‘Beloved father to Katy, Alex, Pascal and Louis, and cherished husband of Carolyne, Andy was a much-loved and respected member of the Gogglebox family, and he will be very sadly missed.
‘Our love and thoughts are with Carolyne and the entire family. The family have asked for privacy at this very sad time.’
Caroline Aherne
Just before her death, the Mrs Merton actress took a break from voicing Gogglebox to obtain treatment.
Her publicist, Neil Reading, later announced her death, adding, ‘Caroline Aherne has unfortunately gone away after a heroic fight with cancer.
‘The Bafta award-winning writer and comedy actor died earlier today at her home in Timperley, Greater Manchester. She was 52.
‘The family ask for privacy at this very sad time.’
Gogglebox airs Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4.
Source My Celebrity Life.
