George Gilbey’s mum Linda McGarry has been left devastated following her son’s tragic death aged 40.
The TV personality, who rose to fame on the second series of Gogglebox with his mother Linda and step-father Pete in 2013, fell to his death in a horror accident at work on Wednesday.
His sudden death comes less than three years after Pete died from bowel cancer aged 71.
Following the tragic news of his passing, a close friend told The Sun that his beloved mum Linda has been left devastated as they described George as he ‘little treasure’.
They explained: ‘First, she lost Pete, now her son as well. She is incredibly emotional. George was like her little treasure.’
Gogglebox star George Gilbey’s mum Linda McGarry has been ‘left devastated’ as her son dies aged 40 two years after losing her husband Pete
The TV personality, who rose to fame on the second series of Gogglebox with his mother Linda McGarry and step-father Pete in 2013, fell to his death in a horror accident at work on Wednesday
Speaking at the time of Pete’s death, Linda revealed her son had been left ‘really cut up’.
She 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. I have a message from a young lad I know who said, “Ordinary people won’t be remembered, but we’ll remember Pete forever – like the pyramids.”
‘I thought that was beautiful. He was so proud of George when he was in Big Brother too. Him and George really loved each other, George is really cut up.’
The family from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, left Gogglebox in 2014 when George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on rival Channel 5 – which was deemed a rule breaker by producers – but they returned to the sofa two years later.
George, who had a seven-year-old daughter Amelie Iris Gilbey with Gemma Conway in 2016, was part of the fourteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother and even reached the final.
Police confirmed that George had been working at height when he fell and sustained an injury at around 10am this morning. Despite ambulance crews and air ambulances rushing to the scene, the Gogglebox star did not survive.
Just four days ago, George had 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.’
Tributes have poured in for the reality star with Channel 4 saying in a statement on Tuesday that he was ‘part of the family’.
Following the tragic news of his passing, a close friend told The Sun that his beloved mum Linda has been left devastated as they described George as he ‘little treasure’
The Gilbey family left Gogglebox in 2014 when George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on rival Channel 5
His tragic death comes less than three years after his father Pete (right) died from cancer aged 71. They explained: ‘First, she lost Pete, now her son as well. She is incredibly emotional. George was like her little treasure’
Tributes from celebrities and friends have flooded in for George who was described as ‘one in a million’
Fellow TV personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who entered the Big Brother house in 2014 with George, paid tribute, writing: ‘Breaks my heart’
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 in 2014 with George, paid tribute, writing: ‘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.’
Tributes from celebrities and friends have flooded in for George who was described as ‘one in a million’.
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.’
