Gogglebox fans and stars are in mourning after the death of another beloved star.
It was announced today that Ken Harwood died last week after a short illness. He was 77.
Harwood, from County Durham, had been a regular on the Channel 4 show from 2020 to 2022, appearing alongside his wife of 55 years, Anne.
Issuing a statement, 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.’
They also confirmed that the newest episode of Gogglebox would include a tribute.
Sadly, Harwood is not the only Gogglebox star who has died in recent years. Let’s pay tribute to those who’ve contributed to the popular programme and are no longer with us.
George Gilbey
George Gilbey died in March 2024 due to an ‘accident at work’.
The self-employed electrician fell through a skylight while working on a roof at a warehouse in Shoeburyness, Essex.
Due to fatal injuries, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police arrested two men on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter, but both were released without charge or further action.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Gogglebox told Metro afterwards: ‘George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and stepdad Pete.
‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda and George’s family and friends at this very sad time. The family have asked for privacy.’
Gilbey joined the show during the second series in 2013 and appeared on Celebrity Big Brother the following year, where he finished in fourth place.
Celebrity Big Brother co-stars Geordie Shore’s Ricci Guarnaccio and Dee Kelly, who appeared on Benefits Street, were among those paying tribute after news of his death broke.
Pete McGarry
Gilbey’s stepdad, Pete, died from cancer in June 2021, days after being told he had six months to live.
The 71-year-old died at his home in Essex, surrounded by his family, including wife Linda.
A message issued on behalf of the family read: ‘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.’
Following Gilbey’s death, a source told The Sun: ‘This will hit his family very hard, especially Linda.’
They added that she had been ‘incredibly emotional’, having lost her husband and her son, who was her ‘little treasure’, three years later.
Pat Webb
Pat Webb died aged 75 after a ‘long illness’ in January.
The news was announced on the show’s official social media pages, with the statement reading: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox star Mummy Pat Webb passed away this weekend at the age of 75 after a long illness.
‘Pat was a much-loved cast member on the show from series 10 -12 alongside her son Stephen.
‘Mummy Pat will be remembered and missed by her children, Stephen, Denise, Sharon, Beverley and the extended family.’
Stephen Webb, who was a Gogglebox favourite from 2013 to 2023, posted a tribute to his beloved mum alongside a series of snaps on Instagram.
‘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,’ he wrote.
Leon and June Bernicoff
Leon Bernicoff died shortly before Christmas in 2017 at the age of 83, following a short illness.
Sadly, in May 2020, his wife, June, died at the age of 82.
The news was confirmed in a statement by Gogglebox’s Executive Producer, Tania Alexander, which she shared on social media.
It read: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox’s much-loved June Bernicoff passed away at the age of 82 on May 5 at home with her family by her side after a short illness.
‘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.’
Mary Cook
Beloved Mary died aged 92 in August 2021.
She first appeared alongside her best friend, Marina Wingrove, in 2016, and they spent the next five years delighting viewers with their hilarious banter.
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 have 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
Andy died aged 61 in August 2021, following a short illness.
A statement released by Channel 4 and Studio Lambert confirmed at the time 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
Mrs Merton star Caroline Aherne, 52, died in July 2016 after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Two months earlier, she’d informed her loved ones that she was terminally ill.
She took a break from voicing Gogglebox shortly before her death to receive treatment.
Sadly, her publicist, Neil Reading, later confirmed: ‘Caroline Aherne has sadly passed away after a brave battle 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.’
Aherne was Gogglebox’s narrator for three years from its inception. She was succeeded by her friend and Royle Family co-star Craig Cash.
Gogglebox airs Fridays at 9pm on Channel 4.
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