Gogglebox: June Bernicoff reveals she hasn’t watched TV since Leon’s death

Leon and June Bernicoff

by Marianna Manson |
Updated on

June Bernicoff has revealed that she hasn’t been able to watch telly since the death of her husband Leon in 2017

The couple had been married for over 50 years when they first rose to fame as the first confirmed cast members of pioneering reality show Gogglebox, which films regular people as they sit down to watch TV in their own homes.

Viewers were instantly smitten by the retired teachers’ relationship, with Leon constantly sneaking snacks behind his wife’s back, and the kind of bickering that only comes after decades together.

Leon and June Bernicoff
©Channel 4

So when Leon passed away after a short battle with pneumonia and sepsistwo years ago, the nation was heartbroken.

Now June, who chose not to continue filming on her own, has opened up about how difficult it has been to watch the TV without her husband by her side, after Leon spent the last years of his life enjoying fame by doing just that.

“I don’t watch much TV these days, if I’m honest,” she told The Mirror. “I find it difficult. I’ve been reading a lot more, or listening to the radio, but I just feel restless whenever I sit down to watch it.

“I find myself getting up to make a lot of cups of tea and I can’t settle.”

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Gallery

Gogglebox Throwback Pictures

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CREDIT: Twitter

Scarlett Moffatt, now

Scarlett is arguably one of the most successful people to begin their fame on Gogglebox.

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Scarlett Moffatt, then

Everybody now... awww! Scarlett was totally cute when she was younger, which makes no surprise as to why she's turned into the gorgeous woman she is now.

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Betty Moffatt, now

Scarlett's mum Betty is also very popular on the show.

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Betty Moffatt, then

Betty hasn't seemed to age a day since this adorable throwback of her and daughter Scarlett!

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Mark Moffatt, now

Scarlett's dad Mark also appears on the show.

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Mark Moffatt, then

Look at Mark Moffatt's hair in this cute throwback of him and Scarlett!

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Ava Moffatt, now

Scarlett's sister Ava occasionally takes part in the show.

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Ava Moffatt, then

Scarlett recently added this sweet throwback of her and her little sister Ava, from ten years ago!

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Chris Steed, now

Chris no longer appears on the show, but is pictured here with his adorable kitty.

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Chris Steed, then

Chris - who used to be one half of Stephen and Chris from Brighton - is sporting longer (and BLONDE) locks in this fabulous throwback snap.

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CREDIT: Twitter

Stephen Webb, now

Stephen now appears on the show without Chris.

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CREDIT: Twitter

Stephen Webb, then

He used to be one half of best friend duo Stephen and Chris from Brighton, and posted this amazing throwback snap of him in the Himalayas.

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Steph and Dom, now

We LOVE "posh couple" Steph and Dom on Gogglebox.

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Steph and Dom, then

Steph and Dom posted this sweet throwback of their wedding day - and you can tell they were just as in love back then as they are now.

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The Siddiqui brothers, now

Baasit and Umar are well-loved on the show along with their dad Sid.

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The Siddiqui brothers, then

Who doesn't love a sweet family portrait? The Siddiqui brothers have always been smiling it seems!

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CREDIT: Twitter

Nikki and Amy Tapper, now

Nikki and Amy Tapper are on the show as part of the Tapper family.

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Nikki and Amy Tapper, then

How sweet is this throwback of Nikki Tapper and daughter Amy?!

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Jonathan Tapper, now

Jonathan, the patriarch of the family, is known for his loud, booming voice.

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Jonathan Tapper, then

Daughter Amy cheekily posted this throwback of her dad Jonathan Tapper to Twitter - and he's still got that same big grin now!

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Andrew and Carolyne Michael, now

Andrew and Carolyne Michael appear on the show with their children.

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Andrew and Carolyne Michael, then

How much does Carolyne Michael look like her daughter Alex in this photo?!

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The Michael children, now

Not all four children appear on the show with their parents.

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The Michael children, then

The Michael Family children look so adorable in this cute throwback Christmas snap!

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Reverend Kate and Graham Bottley, now

Reverend Kate and her husband Graham are known for their sarcastic comments on the show.

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Reverend Kate and Graham Bottley, then

Reverend Kate and Graham LOVE fancy dress - just take a look at Kate's Twitter page to see more photos like this!

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Jenny and Lee, now

These to have our sides hurting most weeks with their hilarious antics – special shout out to Lee eating Jenny's face mask with his tortilla chips, and Jenny letting one rip while doing some squats.

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Jenny and Lee, then

These two really are the BEST of friends, and if their regular holiday snaps and drunk nights out don't prove it, then this photo from 25 years ago definitely will.

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But the mother and grandmother reveals that Leon’s spirit remains present in the house they shared together since meeting at teacher training college in 1955.

“People talk about how difficult it is coming into an empty house, nut it’s funny, I never really feel the house is empty somehow,” she says. “Leon was such a large figure… I can hear him saying things like, ‘Why have you got this nonsense on?’ when I’m listening to Classic FM.

Leon and June
©Channel 4

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“It’s strange going out on my own, though, and things like driving the car are hard, because he always wanted to be behind the wheel.”

Back in September June released a memoir about her life with Leon,and said that the public’s reaction to his death has been a huge comfort.

“People just keep stopping me and giving me a squeeze to tell me they’re sorry about losing Leon,” she says.

‘He was so well-liked and so kind-hearted – there isn’t a Big Issue seller in the city who didn’t know him. He’d stop for every homeless person on the street, and would say, ‘I’ve got the money to give.'"

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