Gogglebox's George Gilbey died from traumatic head injury after fall from roof

22 April 2024 , 09:06

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An inquest into the death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey has found that the popular TV star died from a 'traumatic head injury'.

The reality TV star, who appeared on the Channel 4 show and Celebrity Big Brother, died at the age of 40 on March 27 following a workplace incident.

George died from traumatic head and torso injuries after he fell from height while working, a coroner heard. The self-employed electrician was working in Shoeburyness, Essex, on 27 March.

A short inquest hearing in Chelmsford was told Gilbey fell through a skylight while working on a roof. A post-mortem examination found his injuries were "consistent with a fall from height," Essex coroner's court heard.

Senior coroner Lincoln Brookes said he would adjourn proceedings for four months at the request of Essex Police. "[Gilbey] was working on a roof when he fell through a plastic skylight and landed on the ground below," coroner's officer Deborah Frost told the hearing.

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Gogglebox's George Gilbey died from traumatic head injury after fall from roof

George was a proud dad to his daughter, Amelie (Instagram)

George passed away at the age of 40 (Yaffa Meskell/REX/Shutterstock)

At the time of his tragic passing, Essex Police released an initial statement which read: "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 Health and Safety Executive. A cordon remains in place at the scene." George, who has a daughter called Amelie with Gemma Conway in 2016, was best known for his time on the sofa with his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.

George became a favourite with viewers when he joined the Channel 4 show in its second series in 2013. The family from Essex were taken off the show in 2014, but that same year, George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house where he made it all the way to the final. In 2016, George, along with Linda and Pete returned to Gogglebox, much to the delight of many telly viewers.

He left the show in 2018 but Linda and Pete continued on the programme without him until 2020. Following the shock news of George's death, Gogglebox shared a tribute on social media. They 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."

George's famous mum Linda is devastated after the tragic loss of her son (Instagram)

George's tragic death came just two years after George's stepdad Pete died suddenly in 2021 aged 71, days after being told he had six months to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer. Linda said her son had been left "really cut up" following his death. Earlier this month, Essex Police confirmed that a man in his 40s who was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the death of George has been released under investigation.

A statement released by the force at the time, read: “As part of our ongoing investigation into the death of a man in Campfield Road, Shoebury, on Wednesday 27 March, a man aged in his 40s from the Witham area was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter. He has now been released under investigation. This is a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive and our enquiries are ongoing.”

George will be laid to rest later this month following an outpouring of donations towards his funeral in recent weeks. Following the news, a GoFundMe page was set up and it has since exceeded its £5,000 target. At the time of writing, the fundraising page has received £6,651 in donations to help his mother Linda McGarry, 74, with the cost of George's funeral.

The page was set up on March 29 by Rob Barlow, who said he's a friend of the family. He wrote in the description of the fundraiser: "As a friend of the family, I have been asked on behalf of Linda, George's mum, to set up this GoFundMe page so we can give George the send off he deserves."

Gogglebox paid tribute to George after his shock death (MDM)

He added: "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. I think I can safely say we all enjoyed watching him on GoggleBox,Big Brotherand all his other TV appearances."

Rob went on to suggest that donations would go towards George's funeral and that any "leftover" funds would be given to the late reality TV star's daughter Amelie, eight. He also expressed gratitude in advance for any donations. He said: "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 [daughter] Amelie."