Gogglebox star's final words before she died after heartbreaking dementia battle
A Gogglebox star has died following a heartbreaking battle with dementia as her family revealed her final words.
Emmie Silbery, who appeared on the Australian version of the hit show died at the age of 96, he r granddaughter Isabelle has announce.
Sharing a moving tribute, Isabelle said: "Our Emmie waited for me to come home for one last snuggle. Her last words: 'I'm ready to hang up now.'"
"She added: "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. Xxxxx."
As the Mirror reports, fellow co-stars rushed to offer their condolences with Lee and Keith's, Lee saying: "Our hearts are so heavy with sadness. Emmie was our adopted grandmother to Keith and I as we lost our grandparents years ago.
"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. Love ya Emm."
Angie Kent typed: "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."
Meanwhile, Weekend Sunrise star Lisa Wilkinson said: "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. Sending love to you and your wonderful mum."
Make-up artists Kellsie Bain commented: "Sorry to hear. Thinking of you and your mum, especially. It was a pleasure getting to do emmies make up, I'm having a giggle over her taking the hotel biscuits and teabags home."
Married At First Sight's Jules Robinson also offered her condolences, saying: "I'm so sorry for your loss. I loved when I met her, she was so fabulous and welcomed This crazy woman all excited to meet her! I LOVED your book together and her stories of growing up.. She will be so missed. What an amazing life."
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Emmie joined the programme in season three, alongside her daughter Kerry and Isabelle, filmed from their home in Melbourne. But Emmie stepped down from the show in 2023 at the start of season 17 after being diagnosed with dementia. She later moved into a care home.
Kerry and her daughter Isabelle were eventually joined by Isabelle's daughter, Ruby, for their final appearance in 2024 before the family left the show.
During an appearance on The Project, Kerry and Isabelle opened up about Emmie's diagnosis, with Kerry saying the "hardest part" was informing her mum that she wouldn't appear on the show anymore.
She said: "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." Isabelle added:
"This is real life. Emmie is no longer able to do the show, and we wanted to be really transparent about that and not have her disappear off the couch."
The mother and daughter made the decision to leave the chair Emmie sat on in the shot while they filmed from their home in her honour. Isabelle later became emotional as she recalled the "long goodbye" due to her nan's dementia battle.
She said: "Sometimes I really wish that she'd just go, because she's not the same. It's just really hard." Dementia is a neurological condition which impacts memory, thinking and behaviour. While there is no cure for the sad condition, there are medical interventions which can help slow down the progression.
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