A man in his 40s has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey who died after a fall at work, Essex Police said.
The star passed away aged 40 in a workplace accident on Wednesday (March 27), with tributes immediately flooding in from friends, family and fans. He was best known for sitting on the Channel 4 sofa alongside his mum Linda and late step-dad Pete McGarry, but also featured on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014.
George’s sister confirmed his passing, writing online: “Rest in eternal paradise brother. Far too young but god only takes the best.”
READ MORE: Coronation Street’s Graeme star unrecognisable 13 years after quitting ITV soap
READ MORE: Click for more brilliant Daily Star showbiz stories
Now Essex Police have also commented, informing the public: “As part of our ongoing investigation into the death of a man in Campfield Road, Shoebury on Wednesday 27 March, we have arrested a man in their 40s from the Witham area on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.
(Image: PA)
“This is a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive and our enquiries are ongoing.”
Yesterday, a police spokesperson confirmed: “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.”
George’s mum Linda is said to be “in bits”, with a close pal of George’s telling The Sun: “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.”
(Image: The Daily Mirror)
Pete sadly died in 2021 at the age of 71, after battling bowel cancer. Originally given six months to live, Pete lost his life just days after doctors issued their prognosis.
Linda described Pete as “her life”, explaining at the time: “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.”
For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.
Meanwhile, sources said of George: “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.”
He leaves behind a seven-year-old daughter, and was reportedly trying to “turn his life around” at the time of his tragic death.
Follow Daily Star on Threads here.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
