TV favourite remembered after heartfelt final farewell at 96
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Australia is mourning the loss of one of its most cherished television personalities, who has passed away at the remarkable age of 96 after a courageous battle with dementia.
For many, she wasn’t just a familiar face on the screen—she was a cherished member of the Gogglebox family, a source of wisdom, wit, and warmth who brought generations together from her iconic red chair.
Emmie Silbery’s granddaughter, Isabelle Silbery, broke the sad news to fans via Instagram, sharing a profoundly moving tribute and revealing Emmie’s poignant final words: ‘Our Emmie waited for me to come home for one last snuggle. Her last words: 'I’m ready to hang up now.'’
It’s a phrase that perfectly captures Emmie’s gentle humour and her readiness to rest after a life so fully lived.
As Isabelle wrote, ‘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. Thank you for loving her as much as we did and will forever. Have a big rest now—you deserve it.’
The outpouring of love from the Gogglebox community has been overwhelming.
Fellow cast members and fans alike have shared their memories and condolences, highlighting just how much Emmie meant to so many.
Lainey Grech wrote, ‘She was so beyond loved.’ Holly Dalton added, ‘Rest in peace, our beloved Emmie.’ Keith and Lee, who considered Emmie their ‘adopted grandmother’, shared, ‘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.’
Matty Fahd called it ‘an honour to have met her’, while Angie Kent thanked Emmie for the ‘countless laughs, tears, goosebumps and memories’.
It’s clear that Emmie’s impact stretched far beyond her own family—she became a grandmother to the nation.
Emmie’s journey with dementia was shared openly by her family, a testament to their honesty and the close bond they shared with viewers.
After 14 seasons on Gogglebox, Emmie left the show in 2022 following her diagnosis.
The 2023 season premiere paid tribute to her, with her iconic red chair left empty—a silent but powerful reminder of her presence.
Isabelle and her mother, Kerry, spoke candidly about the challenges of Emmie’s illness.
‘It’s been tough watching my grandma deteriorate before our eyes with dementia,’ Isabelle shared.
Kerry described the heartbreak of telling her mother she could no longer appear on the show: ‘She said, "Why not?" and we said, "You’ve got dementia," and she said, "I’m perfectly alright, there’s nothing wrong with me, I’m not ga-ga."’
Their openness about the realities of dementia resonated with many Australians who have faced similar struggles in their own families.
Isabelle described the ‘long goodbye’ of losing someone to the disease. This sentiment will ring true for anyone who has watched a loved one fade away due to a neurological disorder.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive neurological disorders that affect memory, thinking, and behaviour.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, but all types of dementia can be devastating for both sufferers and their families.
While there is currently no cure, early diagnosis and intervention can help slow the progression and improve quality of life.
Emmie’s story is a reminder of the importance of compassion, support, and open conversation about dementia.
Her family’s willingness to share their journey has helped reduce stigma and encourage others to seek help and understanding.
The Silbery family joined Gogglebox in 2016, quickly becoming fan favourites for their candid commentary, intergenerational banter, and the apparent love they shared.
Emmie’s quick wit and no-nonsense attitude made her a standout, and her presence on the show helped bridge the gap between generations, showing that wisdom and humour never go out of style.
Gogglebox itself has been a staple of Australian television since 2015, winning multiple Logie Awards and bringing families together to laugh, cry, and debate the week’s TV highlights.
The show’s unique format—ordinary Aussies reacting to what’s on the box—has made it a cultural touchstone, and Emmie was at its heart.
As the Silbery family and the wider Gogglebox community grieve, they are also celebrating a life well lived.
Emmie’s red chair will remain a symbol of her enduring spirit, and her stories will live on in the memories of those who loved her.
For many of us in the Seniors Discount Club, Emmie’s journey is a reminder of the value of sharing our stories, cherishing our loved ones, and facing life’s challenges with courage and humour.
Whether you watched Gogglebox religiously or just caught the odd episode, chances are Emmie made you smile—and maybe even reminded you of your own mum, nan, or great-grandmother.
Credit: YouTube
We invite you to share your memories and tributes to Emmie in the comments below. Did you have a favourite Emmie moment on Gogglebox? Has dementia touched you or your family? Let’s celebrate Emmie’s legacy together and support one another through the challenges we all face.
Rest in peace, Emmie. You’ll never be far from our hearts.
Read more: TV star shares health struggles after co-star's dementia diagnosis
For many, she wasn’t just a familiar face on the screen—she was a cherished member of the Gogglebox family, a source of wisdom, wit, and warmth who brought generations together from her iconic red chair.
Emmie Silbery’s granddaughter, Isabelle Silbery, broke the sad news to fans via Instagram, sharing a profoundly moving tribute and revealing Emmie’s poignant final words: ‘Our Emmie waited for me to come home for one last snuggle. Her last words: 'I’m ready to hang up now.'’
It’s a phrase that perfectly captures Emmie’s gentle humour and her readiness to rest after a life so fully lived.
As Isabelle wrote, ‘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. Thank you for loving her as much as we did and will forever. Have a big rest now—you deserve it.’
Gogglebox Australia star Emmie Silbery passed away at 96 after a battle with dementia, with her final words shared by her granddaughter: 'I’m ready to hang up now.' Credit: @isabellesilbery / Instagram
The outpouring of love from the Gogglebox community has been overwhelming.
Fellow cast members and fans alike have shared their memories and condolences, highlighting just how much Emmie meant to so many.
Lainey Grech wrote, ‘She was so beyond loved.’ Holly Dalton added, ‘Rest in peace, our beloved Emmie.’ Keith and Lee, who considered Emmie their ‘adopted grandmother’, shared, ‘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.’
Matty Fahd called it ‘an honour to have met her’, while Angie Kent thanked Emmie for the ‘countless laughs, tears, goosebumps and memories’.
It’s clear that Emmie’s impact stretched far beyond her own family—she became a grandmother to the nation.
Emmie’s journey with dementia was shared openly by her family, a testament to their honesty and the close bond they shared with viewers.
After 14 seasons on Gogglebox, Emmie left the show in 2022 following her diagnosis.
The 2023 season premiere paid tribute to her, with her iconic red chair left empty—a silent but powerful reminder of her presence.
Isabelle and her mother, Kerry, spoke candidly about the challenges of Emmie’s illness.
Kerry described the heartbreak of telling her mother she could no longer appear on the show: ‘She said, "Why not?" and we said, "You’ve got dementia," and she said, "I’m perfectly alright, there’s nothing wrong with me, I’m not ga-ga."’
Their openness about the realities of dementia resonated with many Australians who have faced similar struggles in their own families.
Isabelle described the ‘long goodbye’ of losing someone to the disease. This sentiment will ring true for anyone who has watched a loved one fade away due to a neurological disorder.
Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of progressive neurological disorders that affect memory, thinking, and behaviour.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form, but all types of dementia can be devastating for both sufferers and their families.
Emmie’s story is a reminder of the importance of compassion, support, and open conversation about dementia.
Her family’s willingness to share their journey has helped reduce stigma and encourage others to seek help and understanding.
The Silbery family joined Gogglebox in 2016, quickly becoming fan favourites for their candid commentary, intergenerational banter, and the apparent love they shared.
Emmie’s quick wit and no-nonsense attitude made her a standout, and her presence on the show helped bridge the gap between generations, showing that wisdom and humour never go out of style.
Gogglebox itself has been a staple of Australian television since 2015, winning multiple Logie Awards and bringing families together to laugh, cry, and debate the week’s TV highlights.
As the Silbery family and the wider Gogglebox community grieve, they are also celebrating a life well lived.
Emmie’s red chair will remain a symbol of her enduring spirit, and her stories will live on in the memories of those who loved her.
For many of us in the Seniors Discount Club, Emmie’s journey is a reminder of the value of sharing our stories, cherishing our loved ones, and facing life’s challenges with courage and humour.
Whether you watched Gogglebox religiously or just caught the odd episode, chances are Emmie made you smile—and maybe even reminded you of your own mum, nan, or great-grandmother.
Credit: YouTube
Rest in peace, Emmie. You’ll never be far from our hearts.
Read more: TV star shares health struggles after co-star's dementia diagnosis
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