Gogglebox star Ken Harwood has died at the age of 77, Channel 4 has confirmed.
Issuing a statement ahead of this week’s episode, Studio Lambert, the production company behind the hugely popular show, said: ‘Ken will be dearly missed by his wife Anne, sons Simon and Ross, daughter-in-law Elle, grandchildren Freya and Tristram, and all who knew him.
‘There will be a tribute to Ken at the end of Channel 4’s episode on Gogglebox tonight.’
Harwood, from County Durham, died last week following a short illness.
He was a beloved Gogglebox regular, offering his critique on the nation’s favourite programmes from his armchair alongside his wife, Anne, from series 15 to 19, which were broadcast from 2020 to 2022.
Harwood and Anne were married for 55 years, and their sweet relationship often melted viewers’ hearts.
In their debut scene, Harwood gifted Anne a bouquet of 50 roses to represent the time they’d been married.
‘You have put me to shame now with a card and roses, and I got you nothing,’ she jokingly responded.
‘But you have me, and that’s all you need.’
Audiences praised how natural they were and noted that they settled into Gogglebox life quickly, having made comical quips about Meghan Markle’s relocation to Canada.
‘She maybe just doesn’t like England or Great Britain,’ Anne commented.
‘Why? Nothing wrong with it… except for the weather,’ her husband retorted.
Before he became known as a Gogglebox star, Harwood, born in Consett in 1948, was a postmaster for 30 years.
He went on to be elected as a local councillor before his retirement in 2013.
Sadly, Harwood’s death follows a string of losses in the Gogglebox on-screen family.
In 2024, George Gilbey, who also appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, died after a freak ‘accident at work’. He was 40 years old.
Other late stars include Pete McGarry, who died from cancer in June 2021, days after being told he had six months to live. He was known for featuring with his wife, Linda.
Pat Webb, Stephen Webb’s mother, also died aged 75 after a ‘long illness’, having been known to viewers as Mummy Pat from series 10 to 12.
Gogglebox legends June and Leon Bernicoff died within three years of each other, Leon, 83, shortly before Christmas in 2017, and his wife, June, in May 2020 at age 82.
Their warmth and wit charmed the millions watching, with the couple credited as being ‘a huge part of the programme‘s success’.
Beloved Mary Cook also died in August 2021, aged 92, having starred with her best friend Marina Wingrove.
Andy Michael, who was part of Gogglebox’s first-ever episode in 2013, died in August 2021, aged 63, after a brief illness.
Gogglebox continues tonight at 9pm on Channel 4.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.