Gogglebox and Celebrity Big Brother star George Gilbey dies suddenly aged 40 as heartbroken friends pay tribute

27 March 2024, 18:22 | Updated: 27 March 2024, 18:53

Former Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died aged 40.
Former Gogglebox star George Gilbey has died aged 40. Picture: Alamy

By Jenny Medlicott

Former Gogglebox and Celebrity Big Brother star George Gilbey has died suddenly aged 40.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

TV personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who featured on Celebrity Big Brother alongside Mr Gilbey, said he died as a result of an “accident at work”

A spokesman for Essex Police 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.

"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."

Paying tribute to the star, Mr Guarnaccio said: “Breaks my heart but George Gilbey you are well and truely [sic] going to be missed my friend.

“Always lit up the room, cared for others & 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 ma boiii! Love you GG.”

Mr Gilbey, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex found fame after featuring on the second series of Gogglebox alongside his mother Linda McGarry and his step-father Pete in 2013.

The trio left the reality show in 2014 when Mr Gilbey entered the Celebrity Big Brother house. His parents later rejoined the programme.

His death comes just three years after his step-father, Pete McGarry, died from cancer aged 71.

George Gilbey has died after an 'accident at work'.
George Gilbey has died after an 'accident at work'. Picture: Alamy

Read more: Hairy Biker Si King breaks silence after final airing of show to give fans career update after Dave Myers' death

Read more: Katie Price warns of 'damaging' plastic surgery, saying 'nothing worse' than young women having cosmetic procedures

Tributes have since poured in for the former reality TV star, as one described the star as "one in a million".

One wrote: “Can't believe what I'm reading, you were the happiest, the life of the party & such a big part of the HTA family. You will be very missed, rip George.”

Another sent their love to Mr Gilbey’s mother, as they wrote: “No words. Rip George James Gilbey. Sending our love to Linda McGarry and the family. So sad.”

One added: "Absolutely speechless. Rest in eternal peace George James Gilbey. Thinking of all your family, life's really is cruel & tomorrow is never promised!"

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Kate Forbes has backed Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf's leadership rival Kate Forbes backs beleaguered Scottish First Minister, as no confidence vote looms

Israel Palestinians Hamas Interview

Hamas reviewing Israeli ceasefire proposal as possible Rafah offensive looms

Tourists are to be taxed to visit parts of Tenerife

Date revealed when Brits will have to pay tourist tax for popular Spanish holiday destination after locals protest

Russia Ukraine War

Russia renews attacks on Ukrainian energy sector as Kyiv launches more drones

A march against anti-Semitism scheduled for Saturday has been cancelled

London march against anti-Semitism axed amid safety fears, with 'hundreds of thousands' to join Palestine protest

APTOPIX US China Blinken

Blinken ends latest trip to China with visit to Beijing record store

Britney Spears has been forced to pay for her father's legal fees for managing her own money

Britney Spears and father Jamie 'settle legal dispute', with pop star 'left to foot dad's $2m legal bill'

Diddy Sexual Misconduct

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs files motion to dismiss some claims in sexual assault lawsuit

Exclusive
New figures from LBC have found five children per day are arrested for carrying a knife.

‘They're agile on issues they care about’: Idris Elba suggests government cares more about XL bullies than knife crime

Rageh Omaar

Rageh Omaar rushed for medical treatment after viewers' alarm as he fell ill on TV and stumbled over words

Inga Rubite died in A&E

Woman who was found collapsed under coat at A&E after seven hours ‘might not have died if someone checked on her’

Train Derailment New Mexico

Train derailment and fire forces road closure near Arizona-New Mexico state line

Severe Weather Midwest

Tornadoes flatten homes in Nebraska and leave trails of damage in Iowa

French officers were pictured trying to prevent migrants attempting the Channel crossing.

French police use knives to puncture migrant boat in Dunkirk to prevent Channel crossing

Palestinian children who fled with their parents from their houses in the Palestinian refugee camp of Ein el-Hilweh, gather in the backyard of an UNRWA school in Sidon, Lebanon in September 2023

UN investigators probe 14 UNRWA aid staff Israel accused over Hamas attack

Emma Stone has said she would like to be called by her real name.

‘It would be so nice’: Emma Stone reveals she wants to be called by her real name