Gogglebox favourite, Pete McGarry has sadly passed away at the age of 71, following a short illness, his family has announced. According to a statement released by his family and shared on the Channel 4's social media, the tv favourite passed away over the weekend with his family by his side.
“We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox star Pete McGarry passed away at the age of 71 this weekend with his family by his side after a short illness. Pete will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew. Our thoughts are with Linda, their children and grandchildren”.
Mr McGarry, his wife Linda, and son George first joined the Gogglebox’s second series in 2013. The couple re-joined the show’s seventh series in 2016 without their son and have regularly appeared on the program up to 2020. Their son George has only made few appearances on the show after several controversies in his personal life, including being jailed for drink driving in 2018.
Along with appearing on the Channel 4’s “Gogglebox”, Pete and Linda have found their calling fostering children. The couple has welcomed home more than 100 children over the last 20 years. In a 2016 interview, Linda said: “I always say all you need to be a foster parent is a spare room, a sense of humour and a good heart". She also added that fostering kids had “enhanced their lives”.
Pete McGarry’s cause of death has not been revealed however, the family statement added it was not linked to COVID-19.