George Gilbey, a former Gogglebox star and Celebrity Big Brother contestant, has died after suffering a fall at work. He was 40.
Essex Police said it was called to a road near Southend-on-Sea yesterday after a report that a man working at a height had fallen, according to the BBC, and the Channel 4 Gogglebox X account confirmed that the person was Gilbey. An air ambulance attended and there is still a cordon at the scene, the BBC reported Essex Police had said.
C4 Gogglebox tweeted: “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.”
Gilbey’s step dad Peter McGarry, who joined him on the show, died in 2021 aged 71.
Linda Gilbey (left), George Gilbey and Pete McGarry. Image: Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images for St Joseph’s Hospice and Haven House Children’s Hospice.
Gilbey was an early series regular on the Channel 4 smash hit, appearing alongside his step dad and mum Linda Gilbey for five years. The trio were warm-hearted and much-loved contributors to Studio Lambert’s show in which everyday families up and down the country make their feelings known about the week’s TV, often with hilarious consequences. The show is still one of Channel 4’s most-watched series six years after Gilbey exited.
In the early part of his Gogglebox era, Gilbey appeared in Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother, where he finished fourth.
There were a number of tributes overnight, including from EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook, who said: “Goodnight, my darling friend George. I’m absolutely gutted” on Instagram.