Leon Bernicoff's Greatest 'Gogglebox' Moment Was A Suitably Christmassy One

Tributes have poured in for the Gogglebox star Leon Bernicoff who died aged 83 earlier today following a short illness.

The retired teacher was a lovable presence on the show and had many moments which could be argued to be his best, but this is the one that LADbible has picked.

In this suitably festive video, Leon receives an early Christmas gift from his wife June: a Christmas hat, blue in the colour of his beloved Everton F.C.

"It's lovely! It's gorgeous!" he says, climbing out of his chair and leaning down to give June a 'Crimbo kiss'.

The pair have a quick peck on the lips, with June laughing, before Leon cheekily asks: "Tongues?"

June's response was to give Leon a proper whack on the front. Even she was surprised by the strength of her own punch.

It was Leon's sense of humour that made him so loved by telly watchers across the country, as his fellow Gogglebox star Scarlett Moffatt has highlighted.

Moffatt, who starred alongside Leon on the Channel 4 show from 2014 and 2016, posted her own condolences to the Bernicoff family on Twitter for their loss.

"Words can't explain what you meant to so many people. From your words of encouragement to me to the little DMs. Leon you were loved by so many. Sending my love to you and all of your family. @LeonAndJune." Moffatt posted this evening.

Leon and June were among the first people to join the cult Channel 4 show's cast when it began airing in 2013.

Bernicoff died in hospital earlier today, Channel 4 and the show's production company Studio Lambert confirmed in a statement on behalf of his family.

Among others to have posted their tributes to Leon on social media include his fellow Gogglebox stars Rev. Kate Bottley and Sandi Bogle, Everton FC and the show's creator Tania Alexander.

"So deeply saddened at the passing of our dear, dear Leon," Alexander posted on Twitter after his death was announced.

"He was and always will be the grandfather of #gogglebox - an absolute star who always made me laugh with his sharp wit and unshakable opinions. Much love and strength to June and the Bernicoff family."

We'll always remember you for moments like these, Leon.

Topics: Death, Entertainment, TV and Film, gogglebox, Scarlett Moffatt, Channel 4

Chris Ogden

Chris Ogden is a journalist at LADbible. He graduated from the University of East Anglia with degrees in English Literature and Creative Writing before completing his NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism. Chris has previously written for the independent culture magazine The Skinny, among other publications.

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