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Gogglebox favourite Leon Bernicoff has died at age 83, Channel 4 announced today.

The retired teacher passed away in hospital today after a short illness, leaving his beloved wife June behind.

Channel 4 have confirmed to Mirror TV that they will be paying tribute to Leon before his last episode airs tomorrow on Christmas Eve.

The couple stole the hearts of the nation with their adoring gazes, mushy comments and playful bickering.

Leon was born on October 27 1934. He is survived by June, two daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren.

Leon and June were the first members to be cast for the Channel 4 series when it launched in 2013.

The pair, from Liverpool, were together for 60 years after meeting at a teacher-training college in 1955.

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.

Last year June revealed the longest time the couple were apart was four days.

On the show Leon regularly spoke about his love for Everton FC and his loathing of David Cameron.

During his run on the programme - which shows families across Britain watching television - he once described Nigel Farage as a "dickhead".

The last tweet on his and June's joint account, written just hours before his death, heartbreakingly revealed that they had been looking forward to Christmas.

In a statement on behalf of Bernicoff’s family, Channel 4 and production company Studio Lambert said: “Leon’s unique personality and sharp wit endeared him to fans of the show, as he contributed fully to Gogglebox’s reputation as a programme full of warm humour and unvarnished opinion.

(Image: Matthew Pover) (Image: Twitter/@LeonAndJune)

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

“To those of us that knew him personally, Leon was a man of unwavering principles who exerted a distinct paternal presence both 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-law and beloved grandchildren - all of whom have asked for their privacy to be respected at this incredibly sad time.”

(Image: UGC TCH)

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

Grandfather of Gogglebox's best moments From considering auditioning for The X Factor to insulting David Cameron, Gogglebox's Leon Bernicoff endured a colourful stardom on the Channel 4 show. Take a look at some of his highlights during his and wife June's four years on the programme. :: Leon hits out at David Cameron Quite vocal in his dislike for the Conservative Party, Bernicoff once said of the then-PM: "You're no good as Prime Minister, you fat-faced Tory." :: Handsome Leon Seen recording his voice phone message by the Gogglebox cameras, Bernicoff saved his message as: "This is handsome Leon - I can't take your call now because I'm making love to June. Sorry about that. Bye." :: Telling June he would take care of her if she was ill Watching an emotional scene on Coronation Street in which one character was dying, June told her husband she would not want him to see her if she was seriously sick. He told her: "I will never allow you to have any problems, I'll look after you. You won't go in a home I'll keep you with me." :: His take on The X Factor's Honey G Watching the controversial act, Bernicoff said he could match her. He told June: "I could go on and say 'Leon B, Leon B everybody loves Leon B'." :: His love of food The couple were often snacking while watching TV with Leon once telling June: "There's three people in this marriage. You, me and the fridge." The retired teacher and his wife June were one of the first couples to join the show's cast when it launched in 2013.

The Channel 4 series have also paid tribute to Leon through their Twitter account and said that they would "miss him dearly".

They tweeted: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and Gogglebox legend Leon. We will all miss him so very dearly. Our thoughts are with June and family at this incredibly sad time."

His fellow Gogglebox stars have paid tribute, with Scarlett Moffatt describing him as being "loved by so many".

While Rev Kate Bottley tweeted her condolences to Leon's family.

She wrote: "So sad to hear the news, prayers and love for June and the family @LeonAndJune #Leon #Gogglebox."

Meanwhile the creator and maker of the Channel 4 show, Tania Alexander, wrote: "So deeply saddened at the passing of our dear, dear Leon.

"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."

Former star Sandi Bogle also paid tribute to Leon on Twitter.

She wrote: " WOULD LIKE TO SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO ALL LEON AND JUNE FAMILY SO SAD TO HEAR ABOUT HIS PASSING ALL MY LOVE AND BLESSINGS."

The McCormick family, who also appear on the show, said that they were "gutted" to hear the news.

They tweeted: "Omg I've just heard!!! poor#leon I'm gutted absolutely gutted. @LeonAndJune sending all our love and strength . So so sorry to hear this . Xxxx."

Everton FC, who Leon supported throughout his life, also tweeted their sadness about the news.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

They wrote: "Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Leon, the Evertonian who entertained the nation on @C4Gogglebox. Our thoughts are especially with his wife June at this terribly sad time."

Labour MP Paul Flynn said: "Sad death of favourite personality in favourite show.

"Leon of Gogglebox was a wise, principled Socialist in loving sparky relationship of mutual respect with June.. Sympathy to family."

Loose Women paid their respects, tweeting through their official account: "So sad to hear Gogglebox legend Leon has died after a short illness. Our thoughts are with his wife June & family at this sad time. #Gogglebox."