Gogglebox star Mary Cook has died at the age of 92.
The TV personality was famed for her witty one-liners on the show, where she appeared alongside best friend Marina Wingrove, 90.
Channel 4 announced the news in a statement on Monday that 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.
‘She will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew.’
Tragic news: Gogglebox star Mary Cook has died aged 92 as Channel 4 revealed as they paid tribute to the ‘witty and beloved’ show star
They added that Mary was a ‘beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend to many.’
Mary’s cause of death was not revealed in the statement.
Mary, who worked in the hospitality trade, had been married and widowed twice, and met best friend Marina at St Monica Trust retirement village over ten years ago.
The pair joined Gogglebox in 2016 at the start of series eight and became instant fan favourites due to their ‘brilliantly witty and often cheeky comments.’
Dynamic duo: The TV personality was famed for her witty one-liners as she appeared on the show alongside best friend Marina Wingrove, 90
In an interview with The St Monica Trust, Mary and Marina previously revealed they were discovered by producers while on their way to do some shopping.
Marina said: ‘I went across to catch the bus down to Asda and this young girl comes up to me and says “do you ever watch Gogglebox?”
‘I said, “well I have done” and she said “do you want to be on it?” I thought, “I’m game for a laugh, like”. Then she said “have you got a friend?” And like that, Mary came round the corner on her scooter.’
The pair did not feature on the latest season of the show which took place during lockdown.
While Channel 4 did not comment officially on their absence, it was believed the pair were isolating separately in their apartments in their retirement village.
Best friends: Mary, who worked in the hospitality trade, had been married and widowed twice, and met Marina at St Monica Trust retirement village over ten years ago
Mary’s passing marks the second Gogglebox star to die in the last two months.
In June, Pete McGarry’s cause of death was revealed as his wife Linda has confirmed he passed away after a battle with bowel cancer over the weekend.
His beloved wife Linda revealed Pete, 71, had been diagnosed with the disease earlier in the year but despite a recent operation to remove the tumour, was told he only had six months to live.
Tragically, he died just days after the prognosis, with Linda, also 71, telling The Sun: ‘Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years.
‘I said to him, “we’ve not only been 25 years, it’s been day and night with each other.” He was my life.’
Heartbreaking: Gogglebox fans took to Twitter to share tributes to the star after the tragic news of her passing
A statement issued on behalf of the family said: ‘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. Our thoughts are with Linda, their children and grandchildren.’
‘Since 2000, Pete and Linda have fostered over 100 children and he is a beloved father, husband and grandfather. The family have asked for privacy at this sad time.’
Sad news: Gogglebox star Pete McGarry died from bowel cancer in June just days after being told he had six months to live, according to his doting wife, Linda
Tragedy: The TV star’s passing was announced by his family in a statement, revealing he passed away over the weekend following a ‘short illness’
Pete and Linda’s son George last shared a snap of his family on Instagram on May 6.
Following the news of Pete’s passing, many Gogglebox fans took to social media to pay tribute, including presenter Paddy McGuinness, who wrote: ‘Such a shame, one of the OG’s. RIP.’
Another fan posted: ‘RIP Pete. Sending all my love and hugs to Linda, George and all family,’ while a third added: ‘RIP Pete and condolences to Linda and the family.’
One also tweeted: ‘One of my favourite blokes on Gogglebox. Quiet and unassuming. RIP Pete. Sad day.’
Touching: Pete and Linda’s son George last shared a snap of his family on Instagram on May 6
Rest in peace: Following the news of Pete’s passing, many Gogglebox fans took to social media to pay tribute, including presenter Paddy McGuinness
As well as appearing on Gogglebox, Pete and his wife also fostered several children over the years, saying it was something they ‘loved’ doing.
In 2016 Linda told The Daily Star: ‘It’s enhanced our lives so much. It’s very rewarding. I’ve just loved doing it.
‘I always say all you need to be a foster parent is a spare room, a sense of humour and a good heart.
Beloved: The McGarry family, Lynne, Pete and son George, joined the show in series two back in 2013 before leaving in 2014. Linda and Pete later returned in 2016
‘I’ve just brought them up as my own. On Mother’s Day I get so many phone calls. They don’t forget you. A lot still regard me and Pete as their parents.’
She added that her son George was just 15 when she and Pete began fostering saying: ‘He’s always classed the other boys as his brothers. He never moaned. He always shared everything.
‘He’s got a good heart. He does drive me mad, but he’s a good boy.’
The first child Linda and Pete fostered was then 11-year-old called Chris, who they went onto adopt.
Amusing: The family were a part of some of the show’s funnier moments during its early years
She explained that Chris was now running a car site, and they were ‘so proud’ despite ‘going through hell’ with him.
Linda confirmed she had no plans to stop fostering, explaining: ‘We won’t stop. While we’re in our house it would be a waste not to because we’ve got room. It’s not a hard job, it’s our way of life. We’ll do it for as long as we can.’
She also urged others to try fostering before going straight into adoption, adding: ‘A lot of people find it scary – we were terrified. But I’ve learned how to deal with them.’
The McGarry family, Linda, Pete and son George, joined the show in series two back in 2013, and also appeared in series three.
However, the family left the show in 2014 when George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house.
Linda and Pete rejoined without George in 2016, and were much loved regulars on the show, with a slew of amusing moments.
Among them was a hilarious gaffe which saw George remove his shoe by throwing his foot into the air, only for it to land in the middle of Pete’s ‘chippy tea’.
George also previously revealed that his kind-hearted parents even paid off the drug debts of one of their foster children.
Touching: Pete and his wife had previously spoken about the children they had fostered over the years, saying it was something they ‘loved’ doing
Speaking on the A Bit Of A Stretch podcast, he revealed he asked his parents to help out one of his fellow prisoners, after he himself ended up behind bars when he was convicted of drink-driving.
He explained: ‘So he took out a debt with whoever was on that wing and they’ve hurt him that bad that his jaw was hanging off his face.
‘This is over a £20 drugs-debt so now I had to get involved. I couldn’t leave that. I said ‘Listen, stand back mate, I’ll have it in your account tomorrow.’
‘I phoned mum and said ‘Can you put twenty quid in his account so he can pay this geezer?’
Kind: George also previously revealed that his kind-hearted parents even paid off the debts of someone he was in prison with (pictured in 2014)
In May 2020 Gogglebox fans were left devastated when June Bernicoff died at the age of 82.
The retired teacher passed away following a short illness that was not related to coronavirus, a statement from Channel 4 confirmed.
June was one of Gogglebox’s original cast members alongside her husband Leon, but left the show in 2018 following his death in December 2017.
RIP: In May 2020 Gogglebox fans were left devastated when June Bernicoff died at the age of 82 following a short illness (pictured in September 2018)
A statement from Channel 4 and production company Studio Lambert, on behalf of June’s family, said: ‘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.’
Sad news: June was one of Gogglebox’s original cast members alongside her husband Leon, but left the show in 2018 following his death in December 2017
The statement 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.
‘The family would like to ask for privacy at this sad time, but would like to thank the hospice staff that supported them and cared for June so wonderfully and with such compassion in her final weeks.’
They added: ‘June’s death was not related to COVID-19.’
June met Leon at teacher training college in 1955, but kept their relationship a secret for five years, as she knew Leon’s Jewish family would not approve due to her Catholic faith.
They married in 1960 and moved into the same Liverpool home that they appeared in during their Gogglebox stint, and had four children and three grandchildren.
Gogglebox sees group of friends and families from across the UK react to some of the TV highlights from that week, and has become a Channel 4 fixture since it began in 2013.
Lost without you: June met Leon at teacher training college in 1955, and they married in 1960. They went onto have four children and three grandchildren