George Gilbey’s closest pals reveal touching gesture in tribute to Gogglebox star who suddenly died in work accident
GEORGE Gilbey’s closest pals gave their beloved friend a touching send off hours after finding out he had tragically died.
A group of the TV star’s pals were said to have met in a pub in Clacton-on-Sea tonight – where George lived – to celebrate his life over a drink.
George died after “falling from height” while working this morning, with police tonight confirming his cause of death.
One of his friends spoke to The Sun and gave a touching tribute: “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.
“He had started going to the gym in the evenings and working very hard to do well for his family.
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.
“She is incredibly emotional.
“George was like her little treasure.”
“First, she lost Pete, now her son as well.
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.
“I said to him, ‘We’ve not only been 25 years, it’s been day and night with each other.’ He was my life.”
Cops confirmed George died this morning in Shoebury.
Essex Police said in a statement: “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 Heath and Safety Executive.
“A cordon remains in place at the scene.”
It comes as…
- George Gilbey dead at 40
- Star’s tragic final photo revealed
- Channel 4 say star was ‘part of family‘
- Cops confirm his death
- Tributes pour in for George from celebs
- Star’s mum Linda ‘in bits’ over death
One of his pals also spoke about George’s beloved mum, Linda McGarry.
She has been left “in bits” over her sons tragic death just two years after her husband Pete also died.
The friend 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.”
Channel 4 statement
A SPOKESPERSON for Channel 4 - where George first hit our screens - said in a statement.
“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.”
Husband and stepdad 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.
“I said to him, ‘We’ve not only been 25 years, it’s been day and night with each other.’ He was my life.
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, 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.
Tragic last photo of Gogglebox star
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.”
Tributes are pouring in for the star online, hailing him “one in a million”.
Another friend said George’s mum Linda was “in bits”.
One pal wrote: “Absolutely speechless. Rest in eternal peace George James Gilbey.
“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.
“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.
“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.”