Gogglebox stars join Age UK's campaign to combat rising loneliness at Christmas

Gogglebox favourites June and Leon Bernicoff are starring in an Age UK advert to help combat loneliness during the festive season. It marks the next stage of the charity’s ‘No one should have no one at Christmas’ campaign which began with the Man on the Moon advert.

Channel 4 will air the new clip this week, which sees the Liverpool-based couple react to an Open Fundraising advert featuring an old woman looking at photographs all alone.

In the 60 years they have been together, June and Leon have almost never spent time apart. Yet, for almost three million people aged 65 and over, Christmas is a time of loneliness and isolation which often brings back many memories of loved ones who have passed away.

Leon, 81, and wife June, 78, have reacted emotionally to the Age UK commercial, talking about how they have always looked after each other.

June said: “Leon and I have been together for over 60 years and I couldn’t imagine my life without him. We’re very fortunate to have each other to rely on, but sadly there are so many people who simply don’t have anyone to turn to.

“That’s why the work Age UK does to tackle loneliness is so important and I’m thrilled Leon and I could back the campaign in this way.”

Delighted to be supporting Age UK’s campaign, Leon added: “I’ve always said I’ll be fine as long as June is by my side; she’s my rock through life’s ups and downs. Everyone deserves regular companionship and support in life and it’s heart-breaking that so many older people feel there’s simply no one they can turn to.

“Age UK wants to change that and I’m proud to be supporting their ‘No one should have no one at Christmas’ campaign.”

The campaign was launched in November 2015 and aims to raise awareness of the loneliness epidemic surrounding older people at Christmas.

Research conducted by Age UK has revealed that while loneliness is a problem at any time of year, more than a million older people go without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member during the festive period, and two-thirds (67 per cent) of those surveyed felt that loneliness is exacerbated by the festive season.

The charity has revealed the reasons behind the high numbers of lonely older people across the country. Research found that families are more geographically scattered than ever before due to factors such as increasing divorce rates and the changing job market; busy lives; and as more individuals use electronic communications, older people are at risk of being isolated from conversation channels.

Yet, loneliness poses a health risk to older people. It can be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and increases the risk of health conditions including dementia, high blood pressure and depression.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, commented: “For many people, the festive season is filled with joy and happiness, a magical time to spend with their loved ones. Yet for many older people, Christmas is a thoroughly miserable time which reinforces their feelings of loss and loneliness.

“We understand that in today’s society families are widely dispersed so visiting older relatives can be challenging. But our research shows that making the effort to keep in touch can make a big difference to older people who tend to be stoical and reluctant to admit how lonely they are.

“It is time that everyone realised that loneliness is not an inevitable part of ageing. It is a serious condition which can be hugely damaging, mentally, physically and emotionally. We all have a responsibility to take action and help the older people in our lives, and we urge everyone to touch base with their older friends, relatives and neighbours in the run up to Christmas this year.

“By donating and signing our petition you can help older people to enjoy the festive season and the year to come; everyone should have someone at Christmas.”

Age UK is calling on people to remember those facing Christmas alone and help make a difference to older people’s lives by donating £3 and texting ‘CHRISTMAS’ to 70111 to help answer a call to the Age UK Advice Line.

The charity is also calling on everyone to sign its petition urging the Government to recognise loneliness as a serious health problem and commit to action to help tackle it. For more information visit: www.ageuk.org.uk/christmas.