Britons are in mourning following the announcement that Gogglebox legend Mary Cook has died at the age of 92.
The former hospitality worker joined the Channel 4 programme in 2016 alongside fellow Bristol resident Marina Wingrove.
Her death was confirmed by the broadcaster and Studio Lambert, which makes the show, in a statement on Monday.
It 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. Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and dear friend to many, Mary, who worked in the hospitality trade, had been married and widowed twice.”
News of her passing prompted an influx of tributes on social media, as Twitter users reminisced on how the 92-year-old had lit up the small screen.
Here’s just a glimpse at what fans had to say:
RIP Mary. One of #Bristol’s finest. You were a little, naughty ray of sunshine on #Gogglebox lots of love to everyone lucky enough to have known her x https://t.co/1eWvGHySFW
— Joe Sims (@JoeSims10) August 23, 2021
RIP Mary. Her conversations with Marina reminded me of my own nan. 😔 https://t.co/MCLvNTAGJq
— SalopSkyBlue (@SalopSkyBlue2) August 23, 2021
RIP Mary. You were, and always will be, one of my all time favourites 🤎🖤#Gogglebox #marycook #marygogglebox https://t.co/eH6igDWliE
— Vincent Sandro (@visyon86) August 23, 2021
RIP Mary.
— JB (@JonahB90) August 23, 2021
Poor Marina will miss her best mate 😭 https://t.co/fClAQUoFJC
Before being invited to join Gogglebox, Cook and Wingrove became friends at a retirement village more than 10 years ago.
The pair “became instant fan favourites due to their brilliantly witty and often cheeky moments”, the statement added.
“Mary will be sorely missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew,” it went on.
“Our love and thoughts are with Mary’s family, friends, and Marina. The family have asked for privacy at this sad time.”
According to the St Monica Trust retirement home, where Cook and Wingrove lived, they were discovered by a researcher for Gogglebox during a trip to Asda.
According to their website, Mary said: “I was going shopping, so I asked them if they could wait until we got back.
“They came up to Marina’s flat, held cards up of different famous people and we had to talk about them.”
The pair were temporarily absent from the programme because of the pandemic; however, they returned in May’s series finale of the programme.
