Featured Image Credit: Instagram/@georgegilbey
Topics: Gogglebox, Channel 4, TV And Film, Celebrity, UK News
Rhianna Benson
Topics: Gogglebox, Channel 4, TV And Film, Celebrity, UK News
Linda McGarry - the mother of Gogglebox star George Gilbey, who died last week - has broken her silence on her son's tragic passing.
According to Essex Police, the 40-year-old died in an accident on 27 March while working at height.
An Essex Police spokesperson said at the time: "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.
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"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."
A man has since been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with his death, Essex Police confirmed on 28 March.
And today (2 April), mum Linda - who appeared side-by-side with George and her late husband Pete on the Gogglebox sofa for several years - has released a tribute to her son.
"I’m devastated, he was like my best friend," she told the Swindon Advertiser.
"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."
Pete - who was George's stepfather - passed away back in 2021 following a diagnosis of bowel cancer.
Linda later revealed that she's been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease, saying in her statement that her son struggled with the news more than she did.
"I have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and George took it worse than me. He was a mummy’s boy.
"He came to celebrity over night but didn’t really want to be - he was just normal."
Linda went on: "But it allowed him to do charity work and anytime anyone contacted him about charity work, he prioritised it."
George's friend Ricci Guarnaccio, of Geordie Shore, was one of the first to pay tribute to him.
He wrote: "Breaks my [heart] but @georgegilbey you are well and truely 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."