Beloved Googlebox star June Bernicoff has died, aged 82

8 May 2020, 19:32

Gogglebox star June Bernicoff has died following a short illness

Her passing comes two years after the death of her husband Leon who died aged 83 in December 2017.

June and Leon from Allerton, Liverpool, were firm favourites among Googlebox fans, but after her partner of 57 years died, June left the show in 2018.

The retired teacher died on Tuesday following a short illness that was not related to Coronavirus, Channel 4 confirmed in a statement today (May 8, 2020).

A joint statement on behalf of June's family, Channel 4 and production company Studio Lambert, 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."

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."

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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.

"June's death was not related to COVID-19."