25 April 2024 , 15:43
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Hundreds gathered for the funeral of George Gilbey today as his friends and family were finally allowed to lay him to rest.
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. The tragic Gogglebox favourite was remembered at an emotional service and committal at a crematorium near his home in Clacton-on-Sea, Essex after the inquest into his death was concluded.
They then held a wake in his memory to toast his life as pals flocked to say their goodbyes. The funeral's Order Of Service was full of photos spanning decades with an image of George heading into the Big Brother house marking the cover of the celebration of his life. The poem Afterglow was read out during the heartbreaking service.
"George has been laid to rest and his family have said their last goodbyes, it was a terribly sad day and devastating for everyone concerned, particularly his mother Linda who was in bits," a source told The Sun. “George also has a daughter and it was terrible for her as well as his ex-partner."
He tragically passed away at the age of 40 last month after a tragic workplace incident (MDM)George died from traumatic head and torso injuries after he fell from a 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 that he 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.
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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.
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."