By Lucy Caulkett-
Tributes have been pouring in to well loved Gogglebox star, Mary Cook, who sadly died at the age of 92.
The former hospitality worker joined the Channel 4 programme in 2016 alongside fellow Bristolian Marina Wingrove, and the pair quickly became loved by viewers thanks to their “brilliantly witty and often cheeky” comments.
A statement issued by Channel 4 and Studio Lambert, which makes the programme, said she died in hospital at the weekend with her family by her side.
Mary was a “beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend to many” who had been married and widowed twice, the statement said. She met Marina at a retirement village more than 10 years ago and they had been friends ever since.
“They joined Gogglebox in 2016 at the start of series eight and became instant fan favourites due to their brilliantly witty and often cheeky comments.
Gogglebox- launched in 2013- depicts a number of families and groups of friends from all walks of life and different places around the UK, reacting to the week’s TV shows and films from their sofas. The 18th series is due to start later this year.
Gogglebox bosses confirmed the sad news, writing on Twitter: ‘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.’
‘Beloved mother, grandmother, great grandmother and dear friend to many, Mary, who worked in the hospitality trade, had been married and widowed twice.
‘Bristolians Mary & Marina met at St Monica Trust retirement village over ten years ago and had been friends ever since. They 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 will be missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew.’
Mary joined the cast of the hit Channel 4 show alongside her best friend Marina in 2016. The pair, who are both retired, lived at St Monica Trust care home in Bristol.
Cook and Wingrove joined the show after Wingrove was approached by a researcher outside an Asda supermarket.
“Then she said, ‘Have you got a friend?’ And like that, Mary came round the corner on her scooter.”
Cook added: “They came up to Marina’s flat, held cards up of different famous people and we had to talk about them.”