Gogglebox star Ken Harwood has died at the age of 77 after a short illness, with Channel 4 set to pay a special tribute to the beloved star on tonight’s episode
Anne and Ken were cherished members of the Gogglebox cast from series 15 through 19(Image: CHANNEL 4 )
Gogglebox favourite Ken Harwood has passed away following a brief illness, aged 77. Programme bosses released a statement confirming Ken’s death last week, announcing a tribute would feature in this evening’s episode.
Ken and his beloved wife Anne, hailing from County Durham, shared 55 years of marriage and became cherished members of the Gogglebox cast from series 15 through 19, which aired on Channel 4 between 2020 and 2022.
During their first appearance on the programme, the romantic Ken surprised Anne with a stunning bouquet of 50 roses, representing each year of their marriage. While Anne was touched by the gesture, she playfully teased that she hadn’t reciprocated.
She quipped: “You have put me to shame now with a card and roses, and I got you nothing. But you have me and that’s all you need.”
Upon joining the programme, viewers felt they “fitted in” immediately, offering their take on television moments such as an ITV news segment about Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relocation to Canada, reports the Mirror.
Anne observed “She maybe just doesn’t like England or Great Britain,” prompting Ken to reply: “Why? Nothing wrong with it… except for the weather.”
Born in Consett, County Durham in 1948, Ken served as a postmaster for three decades before becoming a local councillor, eventually retiring in 2013.
Programme makers issued a statement saying: “Ken will be dearly missed by his wife Anne, sons Simon and Ross, daughter-in-law, Elle, grandchildren Freya and Tristram, and all who knew him.
“There will be a tribute to Ken at the end of Channel 4’s episode on Gogglebox tonight.”
Earlier this month, former Gogglebox favourite Josh Tapper made a return to the small screen in an entirely different capacity, securing a position as a Labour councillor nine years after leaving the Channel 4 programme.
Josh now represents the Underhill ward in Barnet. Reports indicate he secured 1,128 votes, claiming a seat alongside fellow Labour candidate Zahra Beg. His sister Amy took to social media to share her pride, posting: “My brother is officially a Councillor! So so proud.”
The Gogglebox family has endured heartbreaking losses through the years. In March 2024, former cast member George Gilbey passed away aged 40 after a workplace incident.
George featured on Gogglebox with his mum Linda McGarry and stepdad Pete McGarry from 2013 to 2014 and again from 2016 to 2018. Devastatingly, in 2024, he lost his life after falling from height while at work.
A few years earlier, in 2021, Mary Cook passed away aged 92. She graced the show with friend Marina Wingrove from 2016 to 2021.
Leon and June Bernicoff became immediate favourites upon their arrival in 2013. June departed the programme following 83-year-old Leon’s passing in 2017. She subsequently penned a memoir about her journey before her own death in 2020.
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