Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died at the age of 40 after a reported tragic workplace incident in Shoebury, near Southend-on-Sea
Gogglebox star George Gilbey tragically passed away at the age of 40 on Wednesday following a reported workplace incident.
The Gogglebox and Celebrity Big Brother star died a t the scene following the incident which took place in Shoebury, near Southend-on-Sea. Essex Police released a statement on Wednesday, which read: “We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (27 March), during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury.
The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene. We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive. A cordon remains in place at the scene.”
A police cordon remains in place at EGL Homecare, where the tragedy reportedly took place. Harrowing pictures of the tragic scene show a large blue cherry picker leading up to the roof of the 35ft building. Scaffolding poles and other building materials can be seen on the roof and there are two police cars are visible at the scene where George lost his life.
Following the news of George’s tragic death, tributes have flooded in for the the star of the Channel 4 show alongside mum Linda and stepdad Pete. George’s friends are believed to have met in a pub in Clacton-on-Sea to celebrate his life. His mum Linda is said to be “in bits” following the news of George’s tragic death.
George’s stepdad and Linda’s husband Pete died suddenly in 2021 aged 71, days after being told he had six months to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Linda said her son had been left “really cut up”.
The late TV star’s family broke their silence on his tragic death on Thursday morning. George’s family member Sabrina Browning has spoken out in a series of posts, confirming the news of the TV star’s heartbreaking death on Instagram in a moving post. Doting mum Sabrina wrote: “My heart is in absolute pieces, @georgegilbey you will be missed so much, no words can explain the kind and gentle heart you showed to all you loved and cared for, thank you for everything, rest in eternal paradise brother.”
Gogglebox also paid tribute to George on social media on Wednesday night,they said: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time. The family have asked for privacy.”
Former Geordie Shore star Ricci Guarnaccio was one of the first to pay tribute to George, by sharing a collection of pictures on social media.
He captioned the snaps on Twitter (X): “Breaks my [heart] but @georgegilbey you are well and truly going to be missed my friend. Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish forever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you G.”
George’s family member Sabrina commented beneath Ricci’s post as she wrote: “Thank you so much for posting this, take care.” She also commented on speculation something was amiss after posts started appearing on George’s Instagram account after news of his death broke. Sabrina explained: “These are all scheduled posts that George had previously set, it doesn’t need reporting, please just allow all of us family and friends to grieve in peace.”
Just days before his tragic death, George shared a smiling selfie on his social media. He had posted a cheerful picture of himself with the caption: “Done. Full membership,” along with a picture of a gym card. In the post, the reality TV star was wearing a black hoodie and seemed to have been exercising.
And less than a day after his death, his last ever Instagram post holds a new meaning. The 40-year-old shared a snap of his beloved daughter, Amelie, to his official account, closely followed by 7.3k followers. In this black and white shot, added onto his feed on March 6, 2024, George’s seven-year-old daughter can be seen standing on a staircase and looking over her shoulder with a bouquet of flowers in her hands.
George captioned the post with a string of three different emojis – a smiling face, another blowing a kiss and a red heart to finish it off, proving his love for Amelie in a simple gesture. The Celebrity Big Brother finalist’s pride for his daughter has been plain to see over the years, with George frequently sharing photos of his young daughter, who he shares with Gemma Conway and was born in June 2016.
George had been ‘working hard’ to turn his life around for Amelie after he was jailed for three months back in 2019 for drink-driving. George was said to be getting back on track and going to the gym amid a health and lifestyle overhaul for the sake of his young daughter. Just days before his tragic death, George shared a smiling selfie on his social media.
A close friend told The Sun: “Nobody deserves this to happen so young – 40 is no age. He had started going to the gym and working very hard to do well for his family. This will hit his family very hard, especially Linda. First, she lost Pete, now her son as well. She is incredibly emotional. George was like her little treasure.”
George was best known for his time on the Gogglebox sofa with his mum and step-dad where they became fan favourites with viewers when they joined its second series in 2013.
The family from Essex were taken off the show in 2014 as George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house, making it all the way to the final. In 2016, George, along with Linda and Pete McGarry, returned to Gogglebox, much to the delight of many telly viewers.
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