Gogglebox star George Gilbey's cause of death confirmed after tragic fall
An inquest into the death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey heard that the 40-year-old television star died from "traumatic" injuries after falling 80ft through a plastic skylight on the roof of a building.
Dad of one George, who appeared on the hit channel 4 show with his mum Linda McGarry and stepdad Pete McGarry, died on 27 March, with Essex Police confirming they 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."
Shortly after, police confirmed a man in his 40s had been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to the incident and was released under investigation.
On Monday, 22 April, a coroner at Essex Coroner's Court in Chelmsford heard how he suffered "traumatic" injuries to his head and torso after falling through the skylight. The coroner’s officer, Deborah Frost, said George had been “working on a roof when he fell through a plastic skylight, landing on the ground below”.
She said paramedics and police attended but he died at the scene, with his provisional cause of death recorded as “traumatic injury to head and torso consistent with fall from height”. Lincoln Brookes, the senior coroner, told the court he was suspending the official proceedings following a written request from Essex Police, pending the outcome of a criminal investigation, and would review the matter in around four months.
George's heartbroken mum Linda spoke to her local Thurrock Gazette newspaper after her son's sudden death, sharing: "I’m devastated - he was like my best friend. He had the best heart in the world – he was generous, funny and kind, with bundles of charm and buckets of personality."
After he died, the family set up a fundraising page to "give George the send off he deserves", setting a £5,000 target to cover the costs. As of Monday, the page had raised more than £6,650.
Writing on the page, Rob Barlow of Clacton Funeral Service, said any money left over would be given to George's daughter Amelie. "I know his passing has come to a shock for a lot of people, he was such a big character in life and is going to be sorely missed by friends, family and all who knew him," Rob wrote.
He continued: "Anything you can donate would be a great help to the family so thank you in advance, all money will go to Linda to pay for his funeral costs and any funds that are left over after will be given to George’s 8 year old daughter Amelie."
The family had already suffered an unexpected loss in 2021, when George's stepdad Pete McGarry, 71, passed away just days after being told he had six months to live following a bowel cancer diagnosis
At the time, Linda 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."
