Gogglebox Australia star Dee Kershaw has died after a short illness

Gogglebox Australia Star Dee Kershaw has died aged 76 after a short illness.

Dee, a former model turned Indigenous art dealer, has been on the Channel 10-Foxtel show with her husband Mick since its first season in 2015.

She is survived by Mick, their grown children Victoria and Alex and a young grandson Harvey.

Doctors reportedly discovered a tumor in her throat a few months ago, and it turned out to be inoperable.

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford broke the news on 3AW on Monday.

“Unfortunately, she’s been ill for a couple of months now, so my condolences to Mick and the whole family,” Ford said.

“She was a great talent. The producers, having found her, struck gold.”

The Kershaws, from Sydney’s northern beaches, have been married for more than 50 years. They first met in a pub when Dee was 17 and Mick 20.

Dee is seen in the bottom row, second from right, with the cast of Gogglebox Australia

“It wasn’t exactly like a reality show,” she once said of their courtship.

“It wasn’t anything formal, like fancy dinners and cocktails at the bar. It was hanging out as a group, drinking rum and coke – very unpretentious.”

Mick proposed after dating for five years.

She is survived by her husband Mick, their grown children Victoria and Alex and their grandson Harvey. (Sydney’s Northern Beaches Kershaw is pictured here in his youth)

Dee was known for her dry sense of humor on Gogglebox, and often delivered sharp insults when reacting to the dating show.

It is known that she did not think much of her fellow cannabis critic Angie Kent, who started her career in the reality show.

“She was on Gogglebox, then she went to the jungle, then she was a bachelor and now she’s a dancing star… Pity me. She’s not a dancer, that’s for sure,” she once said.

A friend, Kershaw, said Dee chose not to tell anyone about her deteriorating health.

Dee and Mick pictured on their wedding day over 50 years ago

Dee (pictured in her twenties) began her career as a model, but became best known as a dealer in indigenous art

“She was not feeling well a few months ago [Mick] took her to her doctor. After many tests and specialists, they discovered a tumor in her throat, which was inoperable,” they said.

“Then she decided not to tell anyone and just spend time with their family.”

Yes, she started her career as a model, but she gained the greatest fame as a dealer in works of the indigenous population.

Dee was known for her dry sense of humor on Gogglebox, and would often lash out with sharp insults when reacting to the dating show

A Kershaw family friend said Dee chose not to tell anyone about her declining health

She convinced her husband to give up his high-profile job as an advertising executive to follow their passion for art.

They operated an Aboriginal art gallery and dealership for more than three decades.

After a long career in the industry, Dee was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for her services to the visual arts in 2020.

Dee and Mick have appeared in every season of Gogglebox, but briefly disappeared in season eleven in 2020 when they decided to self-isolate in their Sydney home without a film crew present.

Kershaw’s son Alex got married in 2018. Their daughter Victoria is also married and has one son named Harvey whom Dee adored.

Di convinced husband Mick to give up his high-profile job as an advertising executive to follow their passion for art. They operated an indigenous art gallery and dealership for more than three decades. (Kershaw is pictured here in his younger years)

A spokesperson for Foxtel, Channel 10 and production company Endemol Shine Australia said: “We are incredibly saddened to learn of Di Kershaw’s death.

“Over the last eight years we’ve been privileged to see her brilliant personality making us laugh with her biting wit, crackling laugh and her impeccable style on Gogglebox.

“From everyone at Foxtel, Network 10 and Endemol Shine Australia, our condolences and love to husband Mick and the rest of the family. Thank you for allowing us to share the warmth, humor and heart of your wife, mother and grandmother.

“Dee has always signed off on ‘Pleasure Treasure’ but this pleasure was all ours and we will cherish it forever.”

Mick and Dee are seen here at the art gallery they have run for over 30 years