Channel 4's Gogglebox had viewers in tears with its 10-year anniversary special last night, after featuring a heart-warming tribute to previous cast members who are no longer with us.
Yesterday evening's edition of the C4 staple marked ten years on air, with a bumper 90-minut montage episode - looking back at iconic moments from Gogglebox over the years.
As the finale of the episode approached, Channel 4 then screened a nostalgic recap, featuring members past and present - also holding an unforgettable 'in loving memory of' message.
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The Mirror reports that photos and tributes to June and Leon Bernicoff, Mary Cook, Pete McGarry, Andy Michael and actress Caroline Aherne were shown causing many fans to weep. And fans of the show flocked to Twitter to share their emotional reaction, with many admitting their sadness to remember the late stars.
One person wrote: “Hearing Caroline Aherne and seeing Leon made me cry,” while another person added: “I'm not crying, you're crying!”
“10 year show is bittersweet great laughs but sad too. All those wonderful people that have entertained us through the years no longer with us,” tweeted another fan of the show.
A fourth viewer penned: “10 years ago miss Leon and June [broken heart emoji],” while a fifth, noted: “I miss so many of these families! Especially Leon and June.”
Including a photo of Caroline Ahern in their tweet, one said: “Icon forever,” while another commented: “Gogglebox 10 year thing starting with Caroline Aherne was nice.”
Caroline was the voiceover on Gogglebox from the very start, introducing the families with her dulcet tones and bringing a warming feeling to the Channel 4 show. Not wanting to let down the viewers when she was unwell, brave Caroline asked The Royal Family co-creator Craig Cashif he would take her place when she was unwell.
“In November 2013, when she was gravely ill with cancer, Caroline asked if I’d narrate Gogglebox when she wasn’t up to it,” he told Radio Times.
"Of course, I said yes; it was a very sad time and I wanted to do right by her and by the programme. Caroline was well and then unwell, well and unwell, so I filled in whenever she needed me to.
While Caroline took time off to receive treatment for the disease, Craig filled in as a relief host until she was strong enough to come back. Caroline managed to carry on entertaining the nation as the Gogglebox voiceover for a further three years until she sadly passed away in July 2016.
After the death of his close friend, Craig permenantly took on Caroline's voiceover role on Gogglebox, as had been her wish.
*Gogglebox returns next Friday at 9pm on Channel 4
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