A Gogglebox family has again been rocked by tragedy after star George Gilbey died aged just 40 after a ‘work accident’.
The former Celebrity Big Brother star’s sudden death marks the second tragic event for the family after George’s stepfather Pete McGarry passed away from bowel cancer in 2021.
It was confirmed by police on Wednesday that George had been working at height when he fell at around 10am that morning but sadly did not survive his injuries.
The father-of-one had a seven-year-old daughter Amelie Iris Gilbey with Gemma Conway in 2016.
George, from Clacton-on-Sea, rose to fame on the second series of Gogglebox with his mother Linda McGarry and step-father Pete in 2013.
A Gogglebox family has again been rocked by tragedy after star George Gilbey died aged just 40 after a ‘work accident’, just three years after his stepfather died from bowel cancer (Pictured are George, his mother Linda and stepfather Pete in 2015)
The Essex family left the Gogglebox sofa in 2014 when George broke the show’s rules by entering the Celebrity Big Brother house – then on rival Channel 5.
Just four days ago, George posted a beaming selfie on Facebook in which he shared that he had purchased a gym membership.
He captioned the photo of him sweating alongside another picture of a gym card: ‘Done. Full membership.’
His tragic death comes less than three years after his stepfather Pete died at the age of 71.
Pete’s beloved wife Linda revealed that he had been diagnosed with the disease earlier in the year but despite a recent operation to remove the tumour, was told he only had six months to live.
Tragically, he died just days after the prognosis, with Linda, also 71, telling The Sun at the time: ‘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.’
A statement issued on behalf of the family at the time said: ‘We are deeply saddened to announce that Gogglebox star Pete McGarry passed away at the age of 71 this weekend with his family by his side after a short illness.
The Essex family left the Gogglebox sofa in 2014 when George broke the show’s rules by entering the Celebrity Big Brother house (Pictured) – then on rival Channel 5
George, from Clacton-on-Sea, rose to fame on the second series of Gogglebox with his mother Linda McGarry and step-father Pete in 2013
Just four days ago, George posted a beaming selfie on Facebook in which he shared that he had purchased a gym membership (Pictured in his last selfie on social media)
‘Pete will be dearly missed by the entire Gogglebox family, cast and crew. Our thoughts are with Linda, their children and grandchildren.
‘Since 2000, Pete and Linda have fostered over 100 children and he is a beloved father, husband and grandfather. The family have asked for privacy at this sad time.’
As well as appearing on Gogglebox, Pete and his wife also fostered several children over the years, saying it was something they ‘loved’ doing.
In 2016 Linda told The Daily Star: ‘It’s enhanced our lives so much. It’s very rewarding. I’ve just loved doing it.
‘I always say all you need to be a foster parent is a spare room, a sense of humour and a good heart.
‘I’ve just brought them up as my own. On Mother’s Day I get so many phone calls. They don’t forget you. A lot still regard me and Pete as their parents.’
She added that her son George was just 15 when she and Pete began fostering saying: ‘He’s always classed the other boys as his brothers. He never moaned. He always shared everything.
‘He’s got a good heart. He does drive me mad, but he’s a good boy.’
The first child Linda and Pete fostered was then 11-year-old called Chris, who they went onto adopt.
As well as appearing on Gogglebox, Pete and his wife also fostered several children over the years, saying it was something they ‘loved’ doing
As well as appearing on Gogglebox, Pete and his wife also fostered several children over the years, saying it was something they ‘loved’ doing (Pictured are the family on George’s Instagram – which he shared after Pete’s death)
She explained that Chris was now running a car site, and they were ‘so proud’ despite ‘going through hell’ with him.
Linda confirmed she had no plans to stop fostering, explaining: ‘We won’t stop. While we’re in our house it would be a waste not to because we’ve got room. It’s not a hard job, it’s our way of life. We’ll do it for as long as we can.’
She also urged others to try fostering before going straight into adoption, adding: ‘A lot of people find it scary – we were terrified. But I’ve learned how to deal with them.’
The McGarry family, Linda, Pete and son George, joined the show in series two back in 2013, and also appeared in series three. .
After the family left due to George’s CBB stint, Linda and Pete rejoined without him in 2016, and were much loved regulars on the show.
Among them was a hilarious gaffe which saw George remove his shoe by throwing his foot into the air, only for it to land in the middle of Pete’s ‘chippy tea’.
George also previously revealed that his kind-hearted parents even paid off the drug debts of one of their foster children.
