Gogglebox star George Gilbey has been laid to rest at a service in his hometown of Clacton in Essex after he died following a fall at work last month.
The reality star, 40, died after falling 80ft through a plastic roof, with many of his co-stars sharing tributes in the wake of his passing.
George’s funeral took place at Weeley Creamtorium after a GoFundMe was set up to help pay for the service, eventually reaching a total of £7,000.
On Monday, an inquest revealed George had been working on a roof when he fell 80ft to his death through a plastic skylight.
George sustained traumatic injuries to his head and torso and died at the scene in Shoeburyness, Essex, on March 27, the hearing in Chelmsford was told.
A car decorated for George’s funeral which took place at Weeley Creamtorium earlier today
Gilbey appeared on the hit TV show Gogglebox alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete
George’s funeral took place at Weeley Creamtorium after a GoFundMe was set up to help pay for the service
George was born in January 7, 1984 and died on March 27, 2024, aged 40
A flower display laid out for George for his funeral earlier today
Messages left for George read ‘We will never forget you’ and ‘We love you George’
George’s family attended the service in Essex earlier today
George Gilbey (pictured) died after falling 80ft through a plastic roof, with many of his co-stars sharing tributes in the wake of his passing
Essex senior coroner Lincoln Brookes opened then suspended the inquest, pending the outcome of a criminal investigation.
Coroner’s officer Deborah Frost said Mr Gilbey had been ‘working on a roof when he fell through a plastic skylight, landing on the ground below’.
She said that paramedics and police attended but that he died at the scene, with his provisional cause of death recorded as ‘traumatic injury to head and torso consistent with fall from height’.
Gilbey worked as an electrician, according to LinkedIn, and ran his own company, WindG Ltd, in Clacton.
George, of Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, was best known for appearing on the Channel 4 series – where participants watch and comment on TV shows from the previous week.
He starred alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who died aged 71 in 2021.
The reality star also appeared on the 14th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, reaching the final.
Coroner Mr Brookes said he had received a written request from Essex Police to suspend inquest proceedings pending the outcome of a criminal investigation, and he granted this request.
The Gilbey family left Gogglebox in 2014 when George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on Channel 5
George sustained traumatic injuries to his head and torso and died at the scene in Shoeburyness, Essex
A funeral car being driven for George’s service which took place earlier today
Crowds of people attended the moving service for George earlier today
Crowds of people attended the service today which saw George’s coffin being carried
He said the matter would be reviewed in four months’ time.
A man, aged in his 40s and from the Witham area of Essex, was previously arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the incident.
He was later released by police under investigation.
Linda shared an emotional tribute to her son in an interview with the Thurrock Gazette, saying her son was ‘trying to rebuild his life’ when he fell to his death.
Linda said: ‘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.
‘He did more in his 40 years than people do in 90 – he’s even had dinner with the Prince of Dubai. He was crazy, but after coming out of showbiz, he couldn’t get his life back together.
‘He just couldn’t get over the death of Pete. I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and he took it worse than me. He was a mummy’s boy.
‘He came to celebrity overnight but didn’t really want to be – he was just normal.
‘But it allowed him to do charity work – anytime anyone contacted him about charity work, he prioritised it.’
Channel 4 led the tributes to George, who they described as ‘part of the Gogglebox family’.
The funeral car was decorated with flowers for George’s service earlier today
George’s coffin being carried at his service earlier today
A spokesperson for the show said: ‘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.’
Fellow TV personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who entered the Big Brother house the same year, wrote: ‘Breaks my heart but George Gilbey you are well and truly 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.’
Former EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook wrote: ‘Gone too soon. Good night, my darling friend George. I’m absolutely gutted xxx.’
Another friend posted: ‘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.’
A third said: ‘No words. Rip George James Gilbey. Sending our love to Linda McGarry and the family. So sad.’
And a fourth posted: ‘Absolutely speechless. Rest in eternal peace George James Gilbey. Thinking of all your family, life really is cruel & tomorrow is never promised!’
George and his ex Gemma Conway met in 2015 at the Royal Ascot Races and announced their pregnancy in February the next year, with the funnyman saying becoming a father was ‘going to totally change my life and I can’t wait.’
During the pandemic, George also revealed that he was working at a Morrisons supermarket.
‘Everyone’s gotta do their bit… ‘, the reality TV star captioned his image at the time as he joined thousands of staff working during the global crisis.
George also regularly posted photos of his young daughter and his mother, including one of the little girl sat on her grandmother’s lap.
He wrote: ‘Is that not the most endearing pictures you’ve ever seen. I know what you feel about yours That’s mine. It’s mine.’
