Scarlett Moffatt leads tributes as Gogglebox’s Leon Bernicoff dies aged 83
Leon Bernicoff was one of the original Gogglebox stars (Picture: Channel 4) Scarlett Moffatt and Gog..
Scarlett Moffatt and Gogglebox creator Tania Alexander are among those who have paid tribute to show star Leon Bernicoff in the wake of his death.
Leon – one of the original stars of the Channel 4 show along with his wife June – passed away on Saturday aged 83 after a short illness.
And Scarlett was among the Goggleboxers who took to Twitter to pay their respects in the wake of the sad news.
Words can’t explain what you meant to so many people. From your words of encouragement to me to the little DMs. Leon you were loved by so many. Sending my love to you and all of your family .@LeonAndJune
— Scarlett Moffatt (@ScarlettMoffatt) December 23, 2017
‘Words can’t explain what you meant to so many people,’ she said.
‘From your words of encouragement to me to the little DMs. Leon you were loved by so many. Sending my love to you and all of your family.’
Fellow Goggleboxer Sandi Bogle was also among the stars of the show to pay tribute to Leon as news of his death broke.
‘Would like to send my condolences to all Leon and June family, so sad to hear about his passing,’ she said as she posted a picture of the couple.
‘All my love and blessings.’
WOULD LIKE TO SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO ALL LEON AND JUNE FAMILY SO SAD TO HEAR ABOUT HIS PASSING ALL MY LOVE AND BLESSINGS
pic.twitter.com/ayQU5vyYll
— Sandi Bogle (@theSandiBogle) December 23, 2017
Series creator Tania Alexander described Leon as ‘the grandfather of Gogglebox’ in an emotional Twitter tribute.
So deeply saddened at the passing of our dear, dear Leon. He was and always will be the grandfather of #gogglebox – an absolute star who always made me laugh with his sharp wit and unshakable opinions. Much love and strength to June and the Bernicoff family.
— Tania Alexander (@Tanialalexander) December 23, 2017
‘So deeply saddened at the passing of our dear, dear Leon,’ she said.
‘He was an absolute star who always made me laugh with his sharp wit and unshakable opinions. Much love and strength to June and the Bernicoff family.’
Other Goggleboxers paying tribute to Leon included the Rev Kate Bottley:
Lee and Jenny:
Sending all our love to June and family at this sad time on the passing of our tv legend Leon R.I.P
#gogglebox@Channel4
— Lee And Jenny (@leegogglebox) December 23, 2017
The Tappers:
Sending all of our love to June and the family at this sad time. You’ll be dearly missed, Leon.
— Gogglebox Tappers (@tapperofficial) December 23, 2017
Pete Sandiford:
Such sad news hearing about Leons passing everyones Gogglebox hero!sending love to June and the rest of there family at this sad time. RIP Leon
— Gogglebox Pete (@Petesandiford) December 23, 2017
Dave and Shirley:
@LeonAndJune so sorry to hear of the passing of Leon,our sincere condolences, he will be missed Dave and Shirley x
— Dave And Shirley (@DaveAndShirley) December 23, 2017
News of Leon’s passing on Saturday was confirmed by Channel 4 and production company Studio Lambert, who said that he died in hospital on Saturday after a short illness.
‘It is with a heavy heart that we announce the sad news that after a short illness Gogglebox’s Leon Bernicoff passed away in hospital earlier today,’ they said in a statement.
‘Leon and his wife June were the first members of the public to be cast for Gogglebox back in early 2013, and they soon grew to become much-loved voices during the course of the show’s 10 series to date.
‘Leon’s unique personality and sharp wit endeared him to fans of the show, as he contributed fully to Gogglebox’s reputation as a programme full of warm humour and unvarnished opinion.
‘To those of us that knew him personally, Leon was a man of unwavering principles who exerted a distinct paternal presence both on and off screen.
‘He will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family; cast and crew.’
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