Gogglebox stars no longer with us - tragic ends and last wishes as George Gilbey dies at 40

Tragedy has struck the Gogglebox family once again following the news George Gilbey has died aged just 40.

The reality TV star, who appeared on the beloved Channel 4 show with mum Linda and late dad Pete McGarry on-and-off from around 2013 until 2018, died on March 27. His death was accidental after he fell from height at his workplace.

His friend and former Geordie Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio one of the first to pay tribute after speaking to George's sister. "Breaks my [heart] but @georgegilbey you are well and truly going to be missed my friend," Ricci said. "Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you G."

READ MORE - Tragic scene where Gogglebox's George Gilbey, 40, fell to his death in workplace accident

News of George's death will leave fans heartbroken as his name is the latest in a long line of favourite stars who have died over the years - including his stepfather.

Pete McGarry

George's stepdad Pete died in June 2021 at the age of 71 following a bowel cancer diagnosis, with Channel 4 breaking the sad news to fans. The channel said the star would be "dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew", with Paddy McGuinness being one of the famous faces paying tribute, saying his death was "such a shame" and that the Clacton native was "one of the OGs" of the hit show.

Pete first joined the Gogglebox family for its second series back in 2013, appearing on screen alongside his wife Linda and her son George Gilbey. The husband and wife duo then returned to the Channel 4 show for the seventh series in 2016 and became fan favourites until their exit in 2020.

Pete McGarry died in 2021, three years before son George
(Image: Channel 4)

Pete was not only popular with viewers but his co-stars too. Hairdresser Stephen, who has appeared on Gogglebox since the first ever series, paid tribute to his "total sweetheart" of a co-star following his sad passing. "Pete was a total sweetheart and brought a real cockney charm to Gogglebox," he recalled to OK! magazine. "He didn’t always say a lot, but we loved him chiming in with, “Leave off, Linda!” every so often."

After his death, wife Linda had explained about her husband's bowel cancer diagnosis and that he had had an operation to remove the tumour, but had been told that he had six months to live. Sadly he died just days later in his home in Essex.

Mary Cook

Mary and best friend Marina Wingrove's sweet friendship and hilarious quips made them big favourites on the show, so fans were left devastated when it was announced that Mary had died in hospital in August 2021, aged 92.

Mary Cook (left) with best friend Marina Wingrove
(Image: PA)

Following the news, Channel 4 released a statement which read: "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 and Marina first met at their retirement village and soon became best friends. They were left out of series 15 of Gogglebox in 2020 as there were fears their health could be put at risk after lockdown lifted. Mary and Marina went on to appear in another series in the autumn, but were forced to miss the following one due to lockdown restrictions.

Andy Michael

Fans were left utterly heartbroken just days after Mary's death as Channel 4 announced Andy Michaels had died aged 61 following a short illness. He had regularly starred on the programme with his wife Carolyne and children Louis, Alex, Katie and Pascal.

"We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Gogglebox star Andy Michael at the age of 61 following a short illness," the official Twitter account for Gogglebox wrote at the time. "Our thoughts are with his family at this time. Andy will be truly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew."

Andy Michael's death shocked Gogglebox fans in 2021
(Image: Channel 4)

Andy was one of the original stars of the Channel 4 show when it launched back in 2013, appearing alongside his wife and children on the hit series. After first appearing on screen back in 2013, Andy quickly became a fan favourite thanks to his quick wit and unique insights.

However, after just two years on the telly-watching series, the Michael family disappeared from the cast of Gogglebox. The late star quit the Channel 4 show so he could follow his dream of becoming politician - running as UKIP candidate in 2015. However, the dad-of-four failed to win a seat in Hastings and Rye and he and his family returned to their sofa to star on the award-winning production.

Leon and June Bernicoff

Throughout the five years they starred on the show together, Leon and June's love and devotion to one another was plain to see. So it hit fans hard when Leon sadly died in 2017 aged 83 following a short illness.

June opened up about his death to Graham Norton on his BBC Radio 2 show two years later, explaining that Leon had been in such poor health that they weren't sure whether he would make it through filming that year. However, he had been determined not to let viewers down.

Leon and June Bernicoff both died aged 83, three years apart
(Image: Liverpool Echo)

"He hadn't been very well over the weekend, and I suggested he didn't do it," she said. June also said that he had been hopeful about the future up until the end, saying: "Next series I'll be on it, don't you worry." Heartbreakingly, he died before Christmas.

June didn't appear in any episodes of Gogglebox after Leon's death and went on to write her book about their 60-year romance. She died three years after her husband in 2020, also aged 83, following a short illness that was not related to the coronavirus.

"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," Channel 4 said. "Their warmth, wit and contrasting personalities endeared them to the nation during the course of the first 10 series."

Mummy Pat

Gogglebox's OG cast member Stephen Webb was left heartbroken in January 2024 as he announced the death of his mum, who appeared on the show with him for two series from 2017. Mummy Pat had replaced Stephen's former friend Christopher Steed, who Stephen had fallen out with after four years of starring on the show together. Stephen was joined by his husband Daniel Lustig-Webb from 2018 until 2023 before they quit the show.

Stephen Webb was heartbroken after announcing his mum's death in January
(Image: (Channel 4 images must not be altered or manipulated in any way) This picture may be used solely for Channel 4 programme publici)

"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," Stephen wrote on Instagram.

Channel 4 said in a statement: "“Mummy Pat will be remembered and missed by her children Stephen, Denise, Sharon, Beverley and the extended family.”

Caroline Aherne

The original voice of Gogglebox and one of Britain's best loved comedy actors and writers, Caroline Aherne, died in 2016 at the age of just 52. She was replaced by close friend Craig Cash, who provides the voiceover to this day.

Both Caroline and her older brother Patrick were born with a rare form of eye cancer. She received treatment for bladder cancer and was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2013, which was related to the cancer she was born with. Just two months before she died she found out that her condition was terminal. A relative told The Mirror : "It was too quick, we didn't expect her to go. She wasn't in a hospice. She was just at home. She left on her own."

Comedy icon Caroline Aherne died in 2016
(Image: PA)

Caroline also suffered with depression and alcoholism during her life and was admitted into The Priory in 1998 following a suicide attempt. After her death, her brother Patrick said: "My heart is broken as I loved her so much.

"But she is now in a better place and most of all she has no pain. I have lost a beautiful sister and the world has lost an amazing talent." The comedian was alone at her home in Timperley, Cheshire when she died with only a few of her close friends and family realising how sick she was.

Craig previously opened up on carrying out his friend's dying wish. “In November 2013, when she was gravely ill with cancer, Caroline asked if I’d narrate Gogglebox when she wasn’t up to it,” he told Radio Times. "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."