Gogglebox favourites the Siddiqui family were flooded with support from fans after they shared the news of a heartbreaking death in their family earlier this week.
The Channel 4 icons, Sid, Raza, Baasit, and Umar, who have featured on the show since 2013, took to social media to reveal their pet cat Rufus had sadly passed away aged 15.
Rufus’ passing is the latest to fall victim to the Gogglebox curse after a raft of heartbreaking deaths over the last few years.
Most notably George Gibley passed away last March after he died in a ‘work accident’ after falling from height, leaving behind devastated family and friends.
It came less than three years after the devastating death of his step-father Pete McGarry, who co-starred with George on the show for a number of years alongside his mother Linda.
In recent years multiple cast members have passed away from illness, cancer and old age, with fans left grief-stricken as the faces they have grown to know and love like a second family no longer appear on the BAFTA-winning show.
take a look back to remember all the famous faces of the hit show who are no longer with us.
The latest victim to fall to the curse of Gogglebox as the Siddiqui family announce heartbreaking death – as we take look back at the tragedies of the Channel 4 show
Rufus the cat
The Siddiquis shared the sad update about their family via Instagram earlier this week and revealed that their pet cat Rufus had sadly passed away aged 15.
The touching post, which was accompanied by a collection of photos of the beloved cat, read: ‘Goodnight our beautiful boy Rufus.
’15 and a half years wasn’t long enough, you were and always will be a big part of our lives.
‘The most chilled, cuddly and beautiful boy who made us a family right back at the beginning.
‘Lots of memories that we will never forget and we are truly grateful to have known & loved you.
‘Sleep tight our handsome Boy.’
Loyal fans took to the comments to wish the family well and one penned: ‘It is devastating when we lose a beloved family member. I am always saddened to read such posts. RIP your beautiful boy.’;
‘I’m so sorry for your loss. They’re never with us long enough but how lucky are we that they choose us.’;
‘So sorry for your loss. They’re such huge part of the family.’; ‘Aw bless.’;
‘I know that pain thinking of you all.’
They shared an update on their family via Instagram earlier this week and revealed their pet cat Rufus had sadly passed away at 15 years old
George Gibley
After a difficult few years, George appeared to be turning his life around when he tragically died in a ‘work accident’ in March 2024 at the age of 40.
The father-of-one featured on multiple seasons of Gogglebox between 2013 and 2018, appearing alongside his mother Linda and step-father Pete McGarry, who tragically passed in June 2021 of bowel cancer.
While the family was axed from the show when George went on Celebrity Big Brother on rival broadcaster Channel 5 in 2014, they returned a year later and it was as if they never left.
George left the show permanently in 2018 and shortly afterwards was convicted of assaulting his ex-partner and drink driving, ending up in prison for three months for the latter.
But upon his release he attempted to turn his life around for the sake of his daughter before it was sadly cut short after he fell from height at a construction site in Essex yesterday.
A spokesman for Gogglebox said at the time of his death: ‘George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.
‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time. The family have asked for privacy.’
After a difficult few years, George appeared to be turning his life around when he tragically died in a ‘work accident’ in March 2024 at the age of 40
Following George’s death, his mother Linda revealed she suffered a stroke six months after George’s death and believes it was due to stress and heartbreak.
She told new! magazine in December: ‘Three months ago I had a full-blown stroke. I’m so lucky that my friends were here and they got me to the hospital. I’d just had a shower and was sitting on the settee with my phone next to me and my friend rang me and I couldn’t talk.
Linda, who also suffers from Parkinson’s disease, was rushed to A&E to receive treatment which she admitted was ‘horrible’.
She continued: ‘I had tubes down my throat – it was horrible. On the tests they couldn’t find where it had come from, but I think it’s the shock of George. There’s no bigger stress that what I went through.
She continued: ‘I can’t change bed or do gardening – I have to do a little job and then sit down – but I’m mad on karaoke! It’s very good for Parkinson’s and keeps your mind active’.
The grieving mother also admitted she has been watching old episodes of Gogglebox to help her remember her son.
Following George’s death, his mother Linda revealed she suffered a stroke six months after George’s death and believes it was due to stress and heartbreak
Pete McGarry
The step-father of George Gilbey died from bowel cancer in June 2021, aged 71, with his family by his side.
His beloved wife Linda revealed he had been diagnosed with the disease earlier that year but despite a recent operation to remove the tumour, was told he only had six months to live.
He died just days after the prognosis, with the widow telling The Sun: ‘Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years.’
A statement issued on behalf of the family announcing his death said: ‘Pete will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew. Our thoughts are with Linda, their children and grandchildren.’
‘Since 2000, Pete and Linda have fostered over 100 children and he is a beloved father, husband and grandfather.’
The TV star’s passing was announced by his family in a statement, revealing he passed away following a ‘short illness’
Pat Webb
The beloved Gogglebox star died aged 75 in January 2024 following a ‘long illness’.
Pat, who featured on the show from series 10 to 12 alongside her son Stephen Lustig-Webb.
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Gogglebox stars The Siddiqui family announce heartbreaking death – and are flooded with support
Stephen, who appeared on the show for 10 years before leaving in 2023, took to Instagram and shared a sweet photo of himself with his mother as he shared the news with followers.
He wrote: ‘Mummy Pat, you were one in a million, took everyone at face value, would share your last fiver with a stranger, the salt of the earth and the absolute centre of our world! Rest in peace mum.’
Pat joined Gogglebox after Stephen’s ex-partner Chris Steed left the programme in 2018.
From 2019 until 2023, Stephen appeared alongside his now ex husband Daniel.
Stephen was one of the series’ longest-running stars having joined when it first started in 2013.
Pat Webb (right) appeared on Gogglebox with her son Stephen Lustig-Webb for three series before her death in January last year
Dave the Rottweiler
Gogglebox’s Malone family shared their devastation in October 2023 that their beloved dog Dave had died.
The adorable pooch was known to millions of viewers as he regularly appeared on the Channel 4 show alongside the family – Tom Sr, Julie, Shaun and Tom Jr.
The family took to Instagram to share their heartbreak as they confirmed the upsetting news.
They posted a sweet video of the Rottweiler standing on their driveway waiting for Tom Sr to return home alongside a heartfelt caption.
The family gushed over how much their beloved dog Dave meant to them and confessed that they would miss him ‘so much’.
They wrote: ‘RIP Dave xxx There are no words to describe you, or how much you meant to us.
‘We are all going to miss you so much.’
Gogglebox’s Malone family shared their devastation in October 2023 that their beloved dog Dave had died
Mary Cook
The TV personality, famed for her witty one-liners, died aged 92 in August 2021.
She appeared alongside the show with her best friend Marina Wingrove.
Channel 4 announced the news in a statement that 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.
‘She will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew.’
They added that Mary was a ‘beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend to many.’
Mary, who worked in the hospitality trade, had been married and widowed twice, and met best friend Marina at St Monica Trust retirement village more than ten years before her death.
The pair joined Gogglebox in 2016 at the start of series eight and became instant fan favourites due to their ‘brilliantly witty and often cheeky comments.’
Mary Cook (left) delighted Gogglebox viewers with her witty one-liners in her appearances on the show with her friend Marina Wingrove (right)
Andy Michael
The Gogglebox star also died in August 2021 aged 61 following a short illness.
The family first appeared on Gogglebox in the debut episode in 2013, but were dropped in 2014 because Andy was running for Ukip in the 2015 General Election. After he failed to secure the Hastings and Rye seat, the family returned for future episodes.
The star, who won a legion of fans by sharing his unfiltered views on the week’s TV alongside his wife Carolyne and children Katy, Alex, Pascal and Louis from their home in Brighton, was the son of immigrant parents from Cyprus.
A family statement, given to the PA news agency at the time, said: ‘We are deeply saddened to share the passing of Gogglebox star Andy Michael at the age of 61 following a short illness.
‘Andy passed away last weekend with his family by his side. ‘Retired hotelier Andy, who brought much wit and insight to Gogglebox, was one of the show’s original cast members, appearing in the very first episode in 2013.
‘Beloved father to Katy, Alex, Pascal and Louis, and cherished husband of Carolyne, Andy was a much-loved and respected member of the Gogglebox family, and he will be very sadly missed.
‘Our love and thoughts are with Carolyne and the entire family. The family have asked for privacy at this very sad time.’
Andrew Micheal died in August 2021 aged 61 following a short illness
The family first appeared on Gogglebox in the debut episode in 2013, but announced in 2014 that they were leaving because Mr Michael was running for Ukip in the general election
June and Leon Bernicoff
June died in May 2020 aged 82 – three years after her husband Leon passed away.
The retired teacher died following a short illness and was one of Gogglebox’s original cast members alongside her husband.
She left the show in 2018 following Leon’s death, aged 83, in December 2017 following a short illness.
A statement from Channel 4 and production company Studio Lambert, on behalf of June’s family, said: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox’s much-loved June Bernicoff passed away at the age of 82 on May 5 at home with her family by her side after a short illness.
‘As the first couple to be cast for Gogglebox back in 2013, June and her husband Leon were a huge part of the programme’s success.
‘Their warmth, wit and contrasting personalities endeared them to the nation during the course of the first 10 series.
‘Following Leon’s passing in December 2017, June wrote her first book, Leon And June: Our Story, which was a deeply moving and entertaining chronicle of their 60-year love affair.’
June met Leon at teacher training college in 1955, but kept their relationship a secret for five years, as she knew Leon’s Jewish family would not approve due to her Catholic faith.
They married in 1960 and moved into the same Liverpool home that they appeared in during their Gogglebox stint, and had four children and three grandchildren.
June died in May 2020 aged 82 – three years after her husband Leon passed away (pictured in the Strand, London, in 2016)
Caroline Aherne
The comic great died in 2016 aged 52 following a two year battle with lung cancer.
She starred in The Royle Family as well as the show’s specials in 2006 and 2010 before becoming the voice of Gogglebox in 2013.
A statement issued by publicist Neil Reading said: ‘Caroline Aherne has sadly passed away, after a brave battle with cancer.
‘The BAFTA award-winning writer and comedy actor died earlier today at her home in Timperley, Greater Manchester. She was 52.’
Aherne passed away alone at her home in Cheshire because her family were not aware her condition had deteriorated, a family member told The Mirror.
‘It was too quick, we didn’t expect her to go,’ they said. ‘She wasn’t in a hospice. She was just at home. She left on her own.’
Caroline Aherne was the original narrator of Gogglebox, voicing the series from its start in 2013 until her death in 2016