GOGGLEBOX and Celebrity Big Brother star George Gilbey has died aged 40 after a sudden workplace accident.

Touching tributes have been made to honour the beloved TV personality as his mum – who saw him as her little treasure – has been left “in bits”, say close pals.

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George Gilbey, known for starring on Gogglebox with his mum Linda and stepdad Pete, has diedCredit: Getty

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Tributes are pouring in for the star, who was just 40Credit: Rex

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The building where George fell fromCredit: Gary Stone

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George, pictured with Stephanie Pratt, also appeared on Big Brother in 2014Credit: Rex Features
The star died after “falling from height” while working this morning, with police tonight confirming his cause of death.

Essex Police has launched a probe into his death and is working alongside the Health and Safety Executive.

A police cordon remains in place at the EGL Homecare site where he is believed to have fatally fallen from.

The heartwarming tributes were led by his close group of pals who were said to have met in a pub in Clacton-on-Sea – where George lived – to celebrate his life over a drink.

One of these friends told The Sun: “George was George. He was a good bloke with a big heart who loved his family.

“He was a bit of a party lad, but he was good entertainment for everyone who knew him.

“Nobody deserves this to happen so young – 40 is no age and to die at work is horrific.

“He had started going to the gym in the evenings and working very hard to do well for his family.”

A DISTRAUGHT neighbour revealed she broke down in tears when she learned that George had died yesterday.

Mum Sharon Howell, 63, said the “selfless” Gogglebox star was just like the well-loved man that he appeared on TV.

She told The Sun: “George was a really nice bloke, he said to be if there’s anything you need I can help you.

“He would always say ‘oh hello, how are you doing? Do you need a hand with anything?’

“Most people keep themselves to themselves here. George lived with his mum. He was well liked and a popular man, it’s so terrible what happened, a real shock.

“He was so friendly, just like he appeared on TV.

“My mate text and asked if I’d heard about his death. I was shocked that I started crying. It’s so terrible, he was 40, that’s no age.

“I feel so sorry for his mum and the kids, they’ll be without him now.”

Another said that George’s mum Linda was “in bits” after hearing the shocking news.

They said: “This will hit his family very hard, especially Linda.

“First, she lost Pete, now her son as well.

“She is incredibly emotional.

“George was like her little treasure.”

He was best known for his time on Channel 4’s Gogglebox where he entertained millions.

He, his mum Linda and stepdad Pete McGarry were a fan-favourite when they joined in the second series back in 2013.

The Essex family were axed from the show in 2014 – but George stepped into the Celebrity Big Brother house the same year.

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George Gilbey watches First Dates with his parents Linda and Peter on Gogglebox
He was much loved on CBB and made it all the way to the final.

George, Linda and Pete then returned to the Gogglebox couch in 2016.

The last photo taken by the star was snapped just last week – a selfie he’d taken after joining the gym.

George’s untimely passing comes just three years after the death of his 71-year-old stepdad Pete, who died after being diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Thousands of tributes are pouring in online, hailing George as “one in a million”.

One pal wrote: “Absolutely speechless. Rest in eternal peace George James Gilbey.

“Thinking of all your family – life’s really is cruel and tomorrow is never promised.”

Another said: “Wish this wasn’t true. Gonna miss you George James Gilbe – you were a one in a million. Fly high mate.”

One heartbroken friend said: “Can’t believe what I’m reading.

“You were the happiest, the life of the party and such a big part of the HTA family. You will be very missed, RIP George.”

George Gilbey’s mum ‘in bits’

By THOMAS GODFREY and GEORGIE ENGLISH

ONE of George’s close pals told The Sun that his beloved mum, Linda McGarry, has been left devastated over her son’s untimely passing.

They said: “This will hit his family very hard, especially Linda.

“First, she lost Pete, now her son as well.

“She is incredibly emotional.

“George was like her little treasure.”

Pete died suddenly in 2021 at the age of 71 from bowel cancer.

He passed away days after being told he had six months left to live.

Linda said her son had been left “really cut up” at the time.

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.”

CELEBRITY TRIBUTES

TV star Ricci Guarnaccio, best known for his time on Geordie Shore, also paid tribute to George.

He wrote: “Breaks my heart but George Gilbey you are well and truely going to be missed my friend.

“Always lit up the room, cared for others and 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 my boy.

“Love you GG.”

Danniella Westbrook also shared a sweet snap of George and his mum to her Instagram.

She wrote: “Gone too soon. Good night, my darling friend George.

Former Celebrity Big Brother star Dee Kelly posted a picture of her with George alongside the tribute: “I’m so heart broken. I’ve left it till now to post because i just can’t get my head around it.

“My gawjus George, my friend. I’m gonna miss you, miss our chats, miss our messages.

“My love and prayers go out to Lynne and family and his beautiful little girl.”

Close pal Ben Ofoedu also posted online saying: “This one hurts!! spent a lot time with you bro such a lovely soul.”

Tragic last photo of Gogglebox star

By JANE MATTHEWS

GEORGE Gilbey was snapped smiling just days before his tragic death this morning.

Just five days ago the star proudly posted the photo to social media.

In the snap the star donned a black hoodie and appeared to have been out exercising.

He captioned the photo, which sat alongside a pic of a gym card: “Done. Full membership.”

Channel 4 released a statement saying the star was always part of the “family”.

It read: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and stepdad 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.”

Essex Police this afternoon said: “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 Heath and Safety Executive.

“A cordon remains in place at the scene.”

The Sun has approached the HSE for comment.

Channel 4 statement:

“George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and stepdad 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.”

It comes after his stepdad Pete died suddenly in 2021.

The 71-year-old passed away days after being told he had six months to live after being diagnosed with bowel cancer – with wife Linda saying 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.”

And she added: “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.”

Linda has now revealed how Pete lost six stone from dieting during lockdown but earlier this year he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Despite an operation to removed the tumour, he was told he had only six months to live but tragically he died just days later.

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Dee Kelly gave a touching tribute to her friend GeorgeCredit: Twitter

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The Essex family first appeared on Gogglebox in 2013Credit: Handout

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It is understood George died in a workplace accident todayCredit: Rex

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This is the second tragedy for Linda – after losing Pete in 2021Credit: Channel 4