Gogglebox favourite Scouse Leon dies aged 83
Leon and June GOGGLEBOX favourite Leon Bernicoff has died aged 83, Channel 4 announced last night.
The retired teacher and proud socialist passed away in hospital yesterday after a short illness, leaving beloved wife June behind.
The couple, who had 221,000 followers on Twitter, stole viewers’ hearts with their adoring gazes, mushy comments and harmless bickering. They were the first to be cast for the Channel 4 series when it launched in 2013.
The Liverpool couple wed 57 years ago after meeting at a teacher-training college in 1955.
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Leon’s Jewish family clashed with June’s Catholic upbringing, and the couple had to sneak around and keep their relationship a secret for four years.
June revealed the longest time
Aled with his wife and their two children they were apart was four days. On the programme, Leon regularly told of his love for Everton FC and his loathing for David Cameron and Nigel Farage.
Channel 4 said: “Leon was a man of unwavering principles who exerted a distinct paternal presence on and off screen.
“He will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew. Our thoughts are with June, his two daughters, sons-in-
The 47-year-old Songs of Praise host has also told how he often struggles with his faith.
In an interview days before it emerged he had been accused of sending inappropriate messages to a female colleague, Jones set out his festive plans.
The star, who lives in a €2million house in South West London with his wife Claire Fossett, 41, and children Emelia, 15, and Lucas, 12, said: “My family are everything to me.
“My kids are incredible human beings and I love being with them.
“Our Christmas is very traditional – eat too much, drink too much and watch too much rubbish on TV.
“I was away for a lot of their younger life, which was rubbish, but that was my job. They’re so interesting now, I’m so thankful I’m home and I love it.”
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Jones has not been on the BBC since a probe was launched into the allegations in October. He strongly denies inappropriate conduct but has said he was “deeply sorry” for “occasionally juvenile” behaviour a decade ago. Speaking about his faith, the former choirboy said: “I don’t go to church very often. My relationship with God is through my music. I’ll always love a hymn. “I wouldn’t put myself down as a fantastic Christian. “I struggle with it as everyone does and occasionally curse.” Jones shot to fame aged 15 when Snowman song Walking In The Air got to No5 in 1985. He admits ongoing royalties from the Christmas film come in useful in January. The singer, who has just released his latest CD One Voice: Believe, added: “There were years I didn’t work and that cheque in January made me very happy. “There was a time I was really embarrassed hearing it in stores but now I front it out.” patrick.hill@trinitymirror.com He gets a lift on bike taxi law and beloved grandchildren.”
Fellow Gogglebox star Kate Bottley wrote on Twitter: “So sad to hear the news, prayers and love for June and the family.”
Show creator Tania Alexander tweeted: “So deeply saddened at the passing of our dear, dear Leon. He was and always will be the grandfather of #gogglebox.”
The Bafta-winning show, now in its tenth series, attracted three million viewers last month.