Gogglebox star Ken Harwood has died at 77, Channel 4 has confirmed.
The former postmaster featured in the popular show alongside his wife Anne, with the pair appearing on the show from 2020 to 2022.
Mr Harwood is understood to have died following a brief illness.
The production firm behind Gogglebox, Studio Lambert, confirmed the news with a moving statement.
Gogglebox star Ken Harwood has died at 77
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PA
It read: “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.”
Mr Harwood, who was born in County Durham, has been married to his wife Anne for 55 years.
After his postmaster career, he became a local councillor before retiring in 2013.
Gogglebox is one of Channel 4’s biggest shows
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REUTERSGogglebox viewers warmed to the couple immediately upon their debut, with many commenting that they “fitted in” straight away to the show’s format.
The pair quickly established themselves as fan favourites, offering their candid reactions to television moments from their home in the north-east of England.
The couple’s first appearance on the programme showcased Mr Harwood’s romantic nature when he surprised Anne with 50 roses to mark their golden wedding anniversary.
Anne responded with characteristic humour: “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.”
Ken and Anne on the Channel 4 show
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CHANNEL 4
Their witty exchanges on current affairs also resonated with audiences, particularly their discussion of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s relocation to Canada during an ITV news segment.
Anne suggested the Duchess “maybe just doesn’t like England or Great Britain,” prompting Mr Harwood’s dry retort: “Why? Nothing wrong with it… except for the weather.”
The programme has experienced several losses among its cast members in recent years.
George Gilbey, who appeared on the show with his mother, Linda McGarry, and stepfather Pete McGarry between 2013 and 2018, died in March 2024 at the age of 40 after a workplace fall.
Ken Harwood starred in Gogglebox alongside wife Anne
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CHANNEL 4
Mary Cook, who featured alongside friend Marina Wingrove from 2016 to 2021, passed away in 2021, aged 92.
Leon Bernicoff, one half of the much-loved Liverpool couple who joined in 2013, died in 2017 at 83.
His wife June subsequently departed the programme and authored a book about their experiences before her own death in 2020.