Gogglebox fans in tears as special pays tribute to late June and Leon Bernicoff

Gogglebox viewers were reduced to tears on Saturday night as the 10-year anniversary special paid tribute to cast members who have sadly passed away.

The Channel 4 reality show has marked 10 years on air with a reminiscent compilation episode featuring both the current and original cast members.

And viewers said they were left feeling very tearful as tributes were paid to stars who have died in recent years – including June and Leon Bernicoff, Mary Cook and actress Caroline Aherne.

June and Leon, who were among the show’s original cast members, were remembered in the special as an array of their most iconic scenes were aired.

June left the show in 2018 following the death of her husband in December 2017, and the retired teacher then sadly passed away following a short illness in May 2020.

Fan favourites: June left the show in 2018 following the death of her husband in December 2017, and the retired teacher then sadly passed away following a short illness in May 2020

At the beginning of the show, the voice of Gogglebox’s original narrator Caroline was also used, leaving viewers feeling very emotional.

The Royle Family star Caroline died at the age of 52 in July 2016 following a two-year battle with lung cancer.

Mary Cook, who died at the age of 92 in August 2021, was famed for her witty one-liners on the show and she was also remembered in the special.

Viewers were quick to take to Twitter to share their emotional reactions to the show, saying it was ‘wonderful’ to see late members of the Gogglebox family remembered.

One person wrote: ‘Many wonderful Gogglebox people who are no longer with us or have left.’

Another commented: ‘Hearing Caroline Aherne and seeing Leon made me cry,’ while a third said: ‘I’m not crying, you’re crying!’

A fourth penned: ‘Oh June and Leon [broken heart emoji],’ and a fifth tweeted: ‘I miss so many of these families! Especially Leon and June.’

Paying tribute to Caroline, one said: ‘Gogglebox 10 year thing staring with Caroline Aherne was nice.’

Loss: Mary Cook (left), who died at the age of 92 in August 2021, was also included in the clips. She appeared on Gogglebox alongside Marine Wingrove 

Tribute: At the beginning of the show, the voice of Gogglebox’s original narrator Caroline was also used, leaving viewers feeling very emotional

Tearful: Viewers said they were left feeling tearful as tributes were paid to stars who have died in recent years – including June and Leon Bernicoff, Mary Cook and actress Caroline Aherne

Another penned: ‘Wow hearing Gogglebox with Caroline Aherne was so nostalgic,’ and a third wrote: ‘Lovely to hear Caroline Aherne.’

Remembering Mary, one fan also wrote: ‘And the lovely Mary too. I hope Marina is doing well.’

While another viewer gushed: ‘Mary and Marina were friendship goals.’

Gogglebox has celebrated its 10th anniversary after its very first episode came to screens back on March 7, 2013, while it is now impressively on its 21st series.

The show has proven to be one of Channel 4’s most unlikely hits, and still pulls in strong ratings after a decade of meme-worthy moments and breakout stars. 

The concept seemed a strange one, focusing on Brits’ reactions to the week’s biggest TV moments while sat in their living rooms, and it quickly became a huge hit.

The show was originally narrated by Caroline Aherne, but following her death in 2016, her The Royle Family co-star Craig Cash stepped in, and he has voiced the show ever since.