Gogglebox star George Gilbey is laid to rest in his hometown of Clacton after it was revealed he died from ‘traumatic’ brain injuries following an 80ft fall on a building job

Gogglebox star George Gilbey has been buried during a service in his hometown of Clacton in Essex after dying following a fall at work last month.

The reality star, 40, died after falling 80 feet through a plastic roof, with many of his co-stars sharing tributes after his passing.

George’s funeral took place at the Weeley Creamtorium after a GoFundMe was set up to help pay for the service, eventually reaching a total of £7,000.

An inquest on Monday heard that George was working on a roof when he fell 25 meters to his death through a plastic skylight.

George suffered traumatic injuries to his head and torso and died at the scene in Shoeburyness, Essex, on March 27, the hearing in Chelmsford was told.

Essex senior coroner Lincoln Brookes opened the inquest and adjourned it pending the outcome of a criminal investigation.

Coroner officer Deborah Frost said Mr Gilbey had been ‘working on the roof when he fell through a plastic skylight and landed on the ground below’.

She said paramedics and police attended but he died at the scene, with his preliminary cause of death recorded as ‘traumatic injuries to the head and torso consistent with a fall from height’.

Gilbey worked as an electrician and ran his own company, WindG Ltd, in Clacton, according to LinkedIn.

George, from Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, was best known for his appearance on the Channel 4 series, where contestants watch and comment on TV programs from the week before.

He starred alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete McGarry, who died in 2021 at the age of 71.

The reality star also appeared on the 14th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2014 and reached the final.

Coroner Mr Brookes said he had received a written request from Essex Police to suspend the inquest proceedings pending the outcome of a criminal investigation, and he granted this request.

He said the matter would be reviewed in four months.

A man, in his 40s, from the Witham area of ​​Essex, was previously arrested on suspicion of manslaughter by gross negligence in connection with the incident.

He was later released by police who investigated.

Linda shared an emotional tribute to her son in an interview with the Thurrock Gazette, saying her son was ‘trying to rebuild his life’ when he fell.

Linda said: ‘I’m devastated – he was like my best friend. He had the best heart in the world – he was generous, funny and kind, with lots of charm and a huge personality.

‘He has done more in his forty years than people in their nineties; he even had dinner with the Prince of Dubai. He was crazy, but after he got out of showbiz, he couldn’t get his life back on track.

‘He just couldn’t cope with Pete’s death. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and he thought it was worse than me. He was a mama’s boy.

‘He became famous overnight, but he didn’t really want that; he was just normal.

‘But it allowed him to do charity work. Every time someone contacted him about charity work, he made it a priority.”

Channel 4 led the tribute to George, who they described as ‘part of the Gogglebox family’.

A spokesperson for the show said: ‘George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series, along with his mother Linda and stepfather Pete.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences go out to Linda and George’s family and friends at this very sad time.

“The family has requested privacy.”

Fellow TV personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who entered the Big Brother house that same year, wrote: “It breaks my heart but George Gilbey, you will be truly missed my friend.

“Always lit up the room, cared for others and the memories we made are ones I will cherish forever, brother. From CBB to speaking with you last week, I’m going to miss you so much ma boiii! I love you GG.”

Former EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook wrote: ‘Gone too soon. Good night, my dear friend George. I’m absolutely gutted xxx.”

Another friend wrote: ‘I 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 sorely missed, rip George.”

A third said: ‘No words. Rip George James Gilbey. We send our love to Linda McGarry and the family. Such a pity.’

And a fourth wrote: ‘Absolutely speechless. Rest in eternal peace George James Gilbey. When you think about your whole family, life is really cruel and tomorrow is never promised!’

George and his ex Gemma Conway met in 2015 at the Royal Ascot Races and announced their pregnancy in February the following year, with the joker saying that becoming a father would ‘completely change my life and I can’t wait.’

During the pandemic, George also revealed he was working at a Morrisons supermarket.

“Everyone needs to do their part…,” the reality TV star captioned his image at the time as he joined thousands of employees working during the global crisis.

George also regularly posted photos of his young daughter and his mother, including one of the little girls sitting on her grandmother’s lap.

He wrote: ‘Aren’t those the most endearing photos you’ve ever seen? I know how you feel about yours. That’s mine. It’s mine.’