📌 Gogglebox Australia’s beloved gran Emmie Silbery dies at 96 after years-long battle with dementia

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Posted 9 July 2025 by: Admin #Various

Beloved Gogglebox Grandmother Passes Away At 96

Australian television has lost one of its most cherished personalities with the passing of Emmie Silbery, the beloved Gogglebox Australia star who died at age 96 following a courageous battle with dementia.

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The heartbreaking news was shared by her granddaughter and fellow Gogglebox star Isabelle Silbery through an emotional Instagram post that captured the intimate final moments between the two women. « Our Emmie, waited for me to come home for one last snuggle, » Isabelle wrote, revealing the peaceful nature of her grandmother’s passing.

Emmie’s final words carried profound significance: « I’m ready to hang up now. » These simple yet powerful words marked the end of an extraordinary life that spanned nearly a century of remarkable experiences and achievements.

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Isabelle’s tribute painted a vivid portrait of her grandmother’s rich life journey. « She was 96, an orphan, a nurse, a wife, a mother, a grandmother, the oldest woman on TV, a great grandmother, an author and so much more, » she wrote, highlighting the diverse roles Emmie had embraced throughout her long life.

The touching farewell message concluded with gratitude to the countless fans who had embraced Emmie as their own: « Thank you for loving her as much as we did and will forever. Have a big rest now — you deserve it. »

The announcement has sent ripples of grief throughout the Australian entertainment community, with colleagues and celebrities preparing to honor a woman who had touched so many lives.

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Outpouring Of Grief From Gogglebox Cast And Australian Celebrities

The tributes began pouring in almost immediately, with Emmie’s former Gogglebox colleagues sharing deeply personal messages that revealed the profound impact she had made on their lives.

Angie Kent, who transitioned from Gogglebox to The Bachelorette, captured the collective sentiment perfectly: « Beautiful Emmie. Words can’t describe what you meant to so many of us. Thank you for the countless laughs, tears, goosebumps and memories! Rest now. Your girls are so loved and looked after. »

Matty Fahd’s tribute emphasized the privilege of having known her: « It was an honour to have met her. She was a truly special woman. May she rest in peace. »

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The most emotionally charged response came from Lee and Keith Riley, who revealed the extraordinary bond they had formed with Emmie. « Our hearts are so heavy with sadness. Emmie was our adopted grandmother to Keith and I as we lost our grandparents years ago, » they wrote, exposing the raw vulnerability behind their on-screen chemistry.

Their tribute continued with touching detail: « You told us so many stories about your life and now they are memories for us to keep. Rest in peace, sweetheart you’ll never be far from our hearts. »

Australian media personalities also joined the chorus of grief. Former The Project host Lisa Wilkinson shared an intimate message: « I’m so sad to hear the news Isabelle. What a beautiful, talented, giving soul she was, and so loved by us all. I hope she knew that. Glad you got that last snuggle. »

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Actress Pia Miranda added her voice: « I’m so sorry for your loss. Sending you and your family all the love. She was an icon. »

From Fan Favourite To Stepping Away: Emmie’s Gogglebox Journey

These heartfelt tributes reflect the remarkable television legacy Emmie built over nearly a decade on Australian screens. When she first appeared on Gogglebox in 2015 alongside daughter Kerry and granddaughter Isabelle, few could have predicted the cultural phenomenon they would become.

The three-generation Silbery clan quickly emerged as fan favourites, their authentic chemistry and sharp commentary winning over audiences nationwide. For seven years and 14 seasons, they transformed from ordinary viewers into beloved couch critics, their living room becoming one of Australia’s most watched television spaces.

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However, in February 2023, the family made the difficult decision to share some devastating news. After nearly seven years of bringing joy to millions of homes, Emmie would not be returning to the famous couch.

« We are sad to announce that Emmie won’t be joining us on the couch for Gogglebox Australia this season, » the family posted on Instagram. « It’s been a very challenging time for our family and we’ve had to make some difficult decisions. Emmie has been diagnosed with dementia and we wanted to be transparent about this as many families experience it. »

The announcement revealed the family’s commitment to honesty with their audience. Rather than simply disappearing from screens, they chose to share Emmie’s diagnosis openly, acknowledging that « many families experience it. »

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They reassured fans: « Emmie will be watching and rest assured she’s happy and being cared for. »

This transparency transformed a private family struggle into a public moment of connection, demonstrating the authentic relationships that made Gogglebox so compelling.

Final Reunion: A Heartwarming Goodbye To A TV Icon

Those authentic relationships that defined Gogglebox proved to extend far beyond the cameras. Despite stepping away from the spotlight, Emmie’s bond with her television family remained unbroken, leading to one final, touching reunion in January 2024.

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The heartwarming gathering brought together cast members who had shared countless hours of laughter and commentary with the beloved grandmother. Tim Lai, who appears alongside sister Leanne, was among those who made the journey to see Emmie again. Faye Kontos, known for her dynamic partnership with best friend Anastasia Katselas on the famous couch, also joined the emotional reunion.

Lee and Keith Riley, who had earlier described Emmie as their “adopted grandmother,” were particularly moved by the encounter. The pair shared footage on Instagram showing Keith embracing Emmie, a moment that captured the genuine affection that had developed over years of shared television experiences.

“It was great to see our darling Emmie again,” they wrote alongside the touching clip, their words reflecting the deep personal connections forged beyond the show’s format.

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Sweet social media clips from the reunion showed Emmie being showered with affection from her former co-stars. The footage revealed a woman still surrounded by love, her television family ensuring she knew how much she meant to them.

This gathering represented more than a simple visit – it was a testament to the lasting impact Emmie had on everyone who knew her.

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