George Gilbey dead: Gogglebox and Celebrity Big Brother star dies ...

27 Mar 2024

A GOGGLEBOX and Celebrity Big Brother star has died suddenly aged 40.

George Gilbey - who made Brits laugh as he sat on the couch alongside his mum and stepdad - tragically passed away today.

George Gilbey - Figure 1
Photo The Irish Sun

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George Gilbey, known for starring on Gogglebox with his mum Linda and stepdad Pete, has diedCredit: Getty

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Tributes are pouring in for the star, who was just 40Credit: Rex

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George, pictured with Stephanie Pratt, also appeared on Big Brother in 2014Credit: Rex Features

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This is the second tragedy for Linda - after losing Pete in 2021Credit: Channel 4

The star died after "falling from height" while working this morning, with police tonight confirming his cause of death.

George was best known for his time on Channel 4's Gogglebox.

He, his mum Linda and stepdad Pete McGarry were a fan-favourite when they joined in the second series back in 2013.

The Essex family were axed from the show in 2014 - but George stepped into the Celebrity Big Brother house the same year.

He was much loved on CBB and made it all the way to the final.

George Gilbey - Figure 2
Photo The Irish Sun

George, Linda and Pete then returned to the Gogglebox couch in 2016.

The tragic last photo of the star was snapped just last week - a selfie he'd taken after joining the gym.

George's untimely passing comes just three years after the death of his 71-year-old stepdad Pete, who died after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

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Tributes are pouring in for the star online, hailing him "one in a million".

Another friend said George's mum Linda was "in bits".

George Gilbey watches First Dates with his parents Linda and Peter on Gogglebox

They told The Sun: "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."

Many went online to share sweet memories about George.

It comes as...

Star's tragic final photo revealed George's cause of death confirmed by cops Channel 4 say star was 'part of family' Tributes pour in for George from celebs Star's mum Linda 'in bits' over death George's agony over stepdad's death revealed

One pal wrote: "Absolutely speechless. Rest in eternal peace George James Gilbey.

George Gilbey - Figure 3
Photo The Irish Sun

"Thinking of all your family - life’s really is cruel and tomorrow is never promised."

Another said: "Wish this wasn’t true. Gonna miss you George James Gilbe - you were a one in a million. Fly high mate."

One heartbroken friend said: "Can’t believe what I’m reading.

George Gilbey’s mum ‘in bits’

By THOMAS GODFREY and GEORGIE ENGLISH

ONE of George's close pals told The Sun that his beloved mum, Linda McGarry, has been left devastated over her son's untimely passing.

They said: "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."

Pete died suddenly in 2021 at the age of 71 from bowel cancer.

He passed away days after being told he had six months left to live.

Linda said her son had been left "really cut up" at the time.

She said: “Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years.

George Gilbey - Figure 4
Photo The Irish Sun

“I said to him, ‘We’ve not only been 25 years, it’s been day and night with each other.' He was my life."

"You were the happiest, the life of the party and such a big part of the HTA family. You will be very missed, RIP George."

TV star Ricci Guarnaccio, best known for his time on Geordie Shore, also paid tribute to George.

He wrote: "Breaks my heart but George Gilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend.

"Always lit up the room, cared for others and the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you my boy.

"Love you GG."

Another pal told The Sun: "George was George. He was a good bloke with a big heart who loved his family.

"He was a bit of a party lad, but he was good entertainment for everyone who knew him.

"Nobody deserves this to happen so young - 40 is no age and to die at work is horrific.

Tragic last photo of Gogglebox star

George Gilbey - Figure 5
Photo The Irish Sun

By JANE MATTHEWS

GEORGE Gilbey was snapped smiling just days before his tragic death this morning.

Just five days ago the star proudly posted the photo to social media.

In the snap the star donned a black hoodie and appeared to have been out exercising.

He captioned the photo, which sat alongside a pic of a gym card: "Done. Full membership."

"He had started going to the gym in the evenings and working very hard to do well for his family."

Danniella Westbrook also shared a sweet snap of George and his mum to her Instagram.

She wrote: "Gone too soon. Good night, my darling friend George.

"I'm absolutely gutted xxx."

Channel 4 this evening released a statement, saying the star was always part of the "family".

It read: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and stepdad Pete.

"Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time.

George Gilbey - Figure 6
Photo The Irish Sun

"The family have asked for privacy.”

Essex Police this afternoon said: "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.

Channel 4 statement:

"George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and stepdad 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.”

"The ambulance service including air ambulance were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene.

"We will continue liaising with partners including the Heath and Safety Executive.

"A cordon remains in place at the scene."

The Sun has approached the HSE for comment.

It comes after his stepdad Pete died suddenly in 2021.

The 71-year-old passed away days after being told he had six months to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer - with wife Linda saying her son had been left "really cut up".

George Gilbey - Figure 7
Photo The Irish Sun

She said: “Pete was a lovely man and I was so lucky to have him for 25 years.

“I said to him, ‘We’ve not only been 25 years, it’s been day and night with each other.' He was my life.

“I have a message from a young lad I know who said, ‘Ordinary people won’t be remembered, but we’ll remember Pete forever - like the pyramids.' I thought that was beautiful."

And she added: "He was so proud of George when he was in Big Brother too.

“Him and George really loved each other, George is really cut up."

Read more on the Irish Sun

Linda has now revealed how Pete lost six stone from dieting during lockdown but earlier this year he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Despite an operation to removed the tumour, he was told he had only six months to live but tragically he died just days later.

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The Essex family first appeared on Gogglebox in 2013Credit: Handout

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It is understood George died in a workplace accident todayCredit: Rex
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