Gogglebox star George Gilbey was buried at 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, and many of her co-stars shared tributes following her death.
George’s funeral took place at Weeley Creamtorium after a GoFundMe was set up to help pay for the service, which eventually totaled £7,000.
On Monday, an investigation revealed that George had been working on a roof when he fell 80 feet to his death through a plastic skylight.
George suffered traumatic injuries to the head and torso and died at the scene in Shoeburyness, Essex, on March 27, the hearing in Chelmsford was told.
A car decorated for George’s funeral which took place at Weeley Creamtorium today.
Gilbey appeared on the hit TV show Gogglebox alongside his mother Linda McGarry and stepfather Pete.
George’s funeral took place at Weeley Creamtorium after a GoFundMe was set up to help pay for the service.
George was born on January 7, 1984 and died on March 27, 2024, aged 40.
A display of flowers prepared for George at his funeral today
Messages left for George read “We will never forget you” and “We love you George.”
George’s family attended the service in Essex today.
George Gilbey (pictured) died after falling 80 feet through a plastic roof, and many of his co-stars shared tributes following his passing.
Essex’s chief coroner, Lincoln Brookes, opened and then adjourned the inquest, pending the outcome of a criminal investigation.
Coroner’s officer Deborah Frost said Gilbey had been “working on a roof when he fell through a plastic skylight and landed on the ground.”
He said paramedics and police attended, but he died at the scene and the provisional cause of death was recorded as “traumatic head and torso injury consistent with a fall from a height.”
Gilbey worked as an electrician, according to LinkedIn, and ran his own company, WindG Ltd, in Clacton.
George, from Clacton-on-Sea in Essex, was best known for appearing on the Channel 4 series, where contestants watch and comment on TV shows from the previous week.
He starred alongside his mother Linda McGarry and his stepfather Pete McGarry, who died at age 71 in 2021.
The reality star also appeared on series 14 of Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, reaching the final.
Coroner Brookes said he had received a written request from Essex Police to suspend the inquest process pending the outcome of a criminal investigation, and he granted this request.
The Gilbey family left Gogglebox in 2014 when George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on Channel 5.
George suffered traumatic injuries to the head and torso and died at the scene in Shoeburyness, Essex.
A funeral car driven for George’s service which took place today
A crowd of people attended George’s moving service today.
A crowd of people attended the service today where George’s coffin was carried.
He said the matter would be reviewed within four months.
A man, aged in his 40s and 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 were being investigated.
Linda shared an emotional tribute to her son in an interview with Thurrock Gazette, saying her son was “trying to put his life back together” when he fell to his death.
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 tons of charm and lots of personality.
“He did more in his 40s than people did in their 90s; he even had dinner with the Prince of Dubai.” He was crazy, but after leaving show business, he couldn’t put his life back together.
“I just couldn’t get over Pete’s death. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and he took it worse than I did. He was a mother’s boy.
“He became famous overnight, but he didn’t really want to be: 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 tributes to George, who they described as “part of the Gogglebox family”.
The funeral car was decorated with flowers for George’s service today.
George’s coffin was carried into service today
A spokesperson for the show said: “George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mother Linda and stepfather Pete.
‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, George’s family and friends at this very sad time.
“The family has asked for privacy.”
Fellow television personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who entered the Big Brother house the same year, wrote: “It breaks my heart but George Gilbey, you will truly be missed my friend.”
‘Always lit up the room, looked out for others and the memories we made I will cherish forever brother. From CBB to talking to you last week, I will miss you so much, ma boiii! I love you GG.’
Former EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook wrote: ‘Gone too soon. Good evening, my dear friend George. I’m absolutely devastated xxx.’
Another friend posted: ‘I can’t believe what I’m reading, you were the happiest, the life of the party and such an important part of the HTA family. We’ll miss you so much, bloody George.
A third said: ‘Speechless. Rip George James Gilbey. Sending our love to Linda McGarry and the family. Very sad.’
And a fourth posted: ‘Absolutely speechless. Rest in eternal peace George James Gilbey. Thinking of all your 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 comedian saying becoming a father was “going to totally change my life and I can’t wait.”
During the pandemic, George also revealed that he was working at a Morrisons supermarket.
‘Everyone has to do their bit…’ the reality TV star captioned her image at the time as she joined thousands of employees working during the global crisis.
George also regularly posted photos of his young daughter and her mother, including one of the little girl sitting on her grandmother’s lap.
He wrote: “Aren’t those the most endearing images you’ve ever seen? I know how you feel about yours. That’s mine. It’s mine.’