Gogglebox star pulls out of last episode of series after heartbreaking family death

Gogglebox star Helena Worthington has shared a heartfelt tribute to her nana as she confirmed she wouldn’t appear in the final episode of the new season.

The Manchester-based star has been a regular on the Channel 4 reality series with her mum Alison and mum’s partner George since 2017, with the group quickly cementing themselves as fan-favourites.

The trio – who are sometimes joined by Helena’s six-year-old son Irwin whom she shares with partner Dan – returned for season 26 which is almost at an end after another successful season.

In a new post to Instagram, Helena, who iscurrently expecting her second child, shared a sad family update after announcing the death of her grandma.

She shared a picture of herself with her mum and nan with a caption that started ‘I’m not quite sure how to write this post’.

As she thanked fans for 20k followers, she explained that it has also been a ‘really rough week’.

Helena continued: ‘I lost my legendary nana, and because of that I won’t be filming the last episode of Gogglebox this series.

‘My nana played such a huge part in my life and loved me fiercely. She was the perfect mix of Dame Judi Dench and the Catherine Tate nana – sharp, hilarious, and she somehow knew the answers to every quiz show question.’

Sharing sweet and funny memories of her nana’s life, she called her a ‘true queen’ and fondly noted that she ‘never missed an opportunity to tell absolutely anyone she met that her daughter and granddaughter were on Gogglebox.’

She concluded: ‘I’m expecting a baby girl in the next month, and my heart aches knowing my nana won’t get to meet her. But I know she’ll be part of her in so many ways – in stories, in humour, and in that same strength and warmth.

‘Thank you for being here, for the lovely messages, and for letting me share both gratitude and grief at the same time.’

Friends, co-stars and fans have flooded the comments with condolences.

Gogglebox star Izzi Warner wrote: ‘Sending lots of love, sorry for your loss she sounds like she was the best kind of person.’

Former co-star Danie Lustig-Webb, echoed: ‘Sorry to hear this Helena xx.’

Writer Lisa Moore commented: ‘Helen – I’m so sad for you and especially, as you say, [cause] she won’t get to meet your baby,’ sharing her own experiences and ‘sending good vibes’.

Gogglebox airs every Friday at 9pm on Channel 4.

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