The death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey was announced on Wednesday night (March 27), with an update from police issued on Thursday afternoon.
George, who was aged 40 at the time of his death, “fell from height” while at work at a warehouse.
He shot to fame alongside mum Linda McGarry and stepdad Pete when they joined the cast of Gogglebox in 2013. They family were axed from the show when George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house in 2014. However, they did make a return to the Channel 4 show in 2016.
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Gogglebox star George Gilbey: Death probed
News of George’s death first started to surface at around 6pm on Wednesday. It soon emerged that he had died after an accident at the EGL Homecare warehouse in Shoebury, Essex.
The incident happened at around 10am, with the ambulance service called to the scene.
Essex Police said in a statement: “We received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am this morning (March 27), 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.”
The statement added that an investigation into his death is still underway.
“We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive. A cordon remains in place at the scene.”
Pictures of the site show a large blue cherry picker leading up to the roof of the 35ft building where scaffolding poles and other building materials are lined up, while two police cars are visible.
Police arrest man on ‘suspicion of gross negligence’
On Thursday afternoon, it was revealed that a man has been arrested in connection with George’s death.
A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “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.
“This is a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive and our enquiries are ongoing.”
George Gilbey’s last words
According to a friend, George was “was not very steady on his feet” whilst working.
They told The Sun: “George had not been in a good way and maybe should not have been working at all. He was up on the roof and the others were shouting at him to get down and to be careful.
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