Channel 4 has paid tribute to Gogglebox star George Gilbey, who has died aged 40 following a workplace accident.
The TV personality, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, shot to fame in the second series of Gogglebox with his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete in 2013.
Police today confirmed that George had been working at height when he fell and was injured at around 10am this morning. Despite paramedics and air ambulances rushing to the scene, the Gogglebox star did not survive his injuries.
Tributes have been paid to the reality star, who also starred in Celebrity Big Brother, with Channel 4 saying in a statement on Tuesday that he ‘part of the family’.
A spokesperson for the show said: ‘George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series, along with his mother Linda and stepfather Pete.
Channel 4 has paid tribute to Gogglebox star George Gilbey, who has died aged 40 after a work accident
The TV personality, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, shot to fame in the second series of Gogglebox with his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete in 2013.
“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Linda and George’s family and friends at this very sad time.
“The family has requested privacy.”
Fellow TV personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who entered the Big Brother house with George in 2014, paid tribute, writing: ‘It breaks my heart but George Gilbey, you will be truly missed my friend.
Always lit up the room, cared for others and the memories we made are ones I will cherish forever, brother. From CBB to speaking with you last week, I’m going to miss you so much ma boiii! I love you GG.”
Tributes from celebrities and friends poured in for George, who was described as ‘one in a million’.
Former EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook wrote: ‘Gone too soon. Good night, my dear friend George. I’m absolutely gutted xxx.”
Another friend wrote: ‘I can’t believe what I’m reading, you were the happiest, the life of the party and such a big part of the HTA family. You will be sorely missed, rip George.”
His sudden death comes less than three years after his stepfather Pete died of colon cancer at the age of 71.
Fellow TV personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who entered the Big Brother house with George in 2014, paid tribute, writing: ‘Breaks my heart’
This was the last photo George Gilbey posted of himself on social media. He said he had just bought a gym membership
The Essex family left the Gogglebox sofa in 2014 when George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on rival Channel 5 – which was deemed a rule-breaker by producers – but they returned to the show two years later.
George, who had seven-year-old daughter Amelie Iris Gilbey with Gemma Conway in 2016, was part of the fourteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother and even reached the final.
Just four days ago, George had posted a beaming selfie on Facebook sharing that he had purchased a gym membership. He captioned the photo of himself sweating next to another photo of a gym card: “Done. Full membership.’
Ricci, who also starred in Geordie Shore, said George’s death was the result of a ‘work accident’.
And a spokesperson for Essex Police said: ‘We received a report at around 10am this morning (March 27) of an incident on Campfield Road in Shoebury where a man working at height had fallen and been injured.
‘The ambulance service including the trauma helicopter was present. Unfortunately, the man died on the spot.
‘We will continue to work with partners including the Heath and Safety Executive. A cordon remains in place at the scene.’
Five years after appearing on CBB, George was jailed for three years for drink driving. He was arrested after gas station staff smelled alcohol on him.
George admitted drink driving at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and was jailed for serving a community order following a drunken assault with his ex-girlfriend Gemma the year before.
George and Gemma had met at the Royal Ascot Races in 2015 and announced their pregnancy in February the following year, with the joker saying that becoming a father would ‘completely change my life and I can’t wait.’
During the pandemic, George also revealed he was working at a Morrisons supermarket.
“Everyone needs to do their part…,” the reality TV star captioned his image at the time as he joined thousands of employees working during the global crisis.
George also regularly posted photos of his young daughter and his mother, including one of the little girls sitting on her grandmother’s lap.
He wrote: ‘Aren’t those the most endearing photos you’ve ever seen? I know how you feel about yours. That’s mine. It’s mine.’
About four months ago, he had also posted a montage of photos with his late father Pete with the caption: “I want him here this year.”
Pete died after doctors told him he had only six months to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.
His wife Linda, George’s mother, said Pete’s death had left him “very confused” at the time.
