Hundreds of mourners gathered for the funeral of George Gilbey as his friends and family laid the Gogglebox star to rest.
George, who shot to fame on the Channel 4 show, died at the age of 40 on March 27 following a workplace incident. The TV star was remembered at an emotional service and committal at a crematorium near his home in Clacton-on-Sea today (April 25), Essex after the inquest into his death was concluded.
A wake was later held 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 also read out during the heartbreaking service.
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“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.”
(Image: Instagram)
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 at the time.
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.
(Image: Channel 4 screengrab)
Senior coroner Lincoln Brookes stated he would postpone the proceedings due to a request from Essex Police. Deborah Frost, the attending coroner’s officer, recapped the incident at the hearing saying “[Gilbey] was working on a roof when he fell through a plastic skylight and landed on the ground below,”.
Following the accident, Essex Police had initially released a statement expressing: “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.”
It went on to say: “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 became an instant hit with fans when he rocked up on the Channel 4 show in its second series back in 2013. The Essex clan got the chop in 2014, but George wasn’t done with fame he strutted into the Celebrity Big Brother house that very year, charming his way to the final. In a welcome twist, 2016 saw George, Linda and Pete make their grand return to Gogglebox, however, sending viewers into a frenzy.
He waved goodbye again to the show in 2018 though, leaving Linda and Pete to hold the fort until they too departed in 2020. After the tragic news of George’s passing broke, Gogglebox paid homage on social media, penning: “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.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
