When he leapt onto Britain’s TV screens alongside his parents on Gogglebox, George Gilbey immediately became a fan favourite.
Blessed with a lively sense of humour, the Essex native charmed viewers with his jocular attitude and his loving relationship with his mother Linda McGarry and step-father Pete.
An appearance on Celebrity Big Brother introduced him to a new legion of fans, and appeared to confirm his rising star among the UK’s TV scene.
But behind the jokes and the banter, Gilbey appeared to have some trouble adjusting to the fame he found with the hit Channel 4 show and ending up in court for his off-screen behaviour.
He wasn’t seen on TV again after being convicted of trying to strangle the mother of his child, and a prison sentence for drink driving appeared to seal the end of his Gogglebox career.
His death at the age of 40 yesterday in a workplace accident – just three years after step-father passed away from bowel cancer – sparked a wave of tributes from former co-stars and fans alike.
This was the last photo that George Gilbey posted of himself on social media – he said he had just bought a gym membership
Former Gogglebox and Celebrity Big Brother star George Gilbey has died aged 40. Here he is pictured with his mother Linda and late father Pete
A police cordon remains in place at EGL Homecare, where the tragedy is understood to have unfolded. A large blue cherry picker can be seen leading up to the roof
When he first appeared the second season of Gogglebox in 2013, few could have imagined what the next decade had in store for the then-30-year-old.
Flanked by mother Linda and step-father Pete at their home in Clacton-on-Sea, the family became a regular and welcome sight for viewers of the show
Known to his friends as Squeaky George because of his high-pitched voice, Gilbey became popular for his sense of humour and the obvious bond he shared with his parents.
It had been an accident of fate that allowed the trio to appear on screen together, with Linda’s son only moving back in with his parents following the end of a long-term relationship.
He admitted he’d had doubts before appearing on the programme, saying in 2014: ‘I’ve seen those shows like Come Dine With Me where people don’t come across particularly well, but I have to say I’m really happy with how it’s gone so far.’
Things would get even better, with Gogglebox winning a BAFTA the same year followed by a surprisingly Lothario-like appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.
The unlikely womaniser had spent the early part of the series charming Made in Chelsea star Stephanie Pratt, even sharing a kiss with the American and discussing whether they would be each other’s ‘back-up plan’ in case they hadn’t met anyone else in five years time.
However, after Pratt was voted out of the house, he quickly moved on to Edele Lynch, from Irish girl band B*Witched, with the pair heard smooching underneath the covers of his bed.
When questioned about the unlikely couple after he finished in fourth place on the show, Gilbey remarked: ‘Edele’s lovely. We had a few drinks, we went to bed and we had a few cuddles.’
The admission didn’t go down well with Pratt, who wrote on Twitter: ‘Still haven’t picked an outfit for tonight’s CBB final!!!! Need something cute for when I see my ex-husband & his new wife Edele.’
The Gilbey family left Gogglebox in 2014 when George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on rival Channel 5
His tragic death comes less than three years after his father Pete (right) died from cancer aged 71
With his star rising following his eventful time in the Big Brother house, the Essex lad became a regular feature on the reality TV show social circuit, hanging out with the likes of TOWIE star Lauren Goodger.
However, even as early as then cracks were beginning to appear, with Gilbey admitting that he had blown most of his CBB by gambling, even losing £12,000 in one night at a casino.
His decision to jump ship to the Channel 5 show had other consequences, as Channel 4 axed his family from the show in retribution for moving to the rival service.
But he remained busy while off screen, returning to his career as an electrician and kindling up a romance with Gemma Conway, who he would go onto have a daughter called Amelie with in 2016.
He professed his love for Gemma, saying she wasn’t ‘superficial’ like some of the women he had met since appearing on CBB and that she was ‘genuine’.
He said that becoming a father was ‘going to totally change my life and I can’t wait’.
Five years after appearing on CBB, George was jailed for three years for drink driving. He was arrested after petrol station staff smelled alcohol on him.
George admitted to drink driving at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court and was jailed due to serving a community punishment following a drunken bust up with his ex-girlfriend Gemma the year prior.
Police confirmed that George had been working at height when he fell and sustained an injury at around 10am on Wednesday morning in Clacton-on-Sea.
Despite ambulance crews and air ambulances rushing to the scene, the Gogglebox star did not survive.
George Gilbey is pictured during Celebrity Big Brother in 2014
Tributes have poured in to the late TV personality who made the final of CBB in 2014
George Gilbey is pictured on Celebrity Big Brother. He made the final in the fourteenth series
A police cordon remains in place at EGL Homecare, where the tragedy is believed to have unfolded. Pictures show a large blue cherry picker leading up to the roof of the factory where several scaffolding poles are lined up, while two police cars are visible.
Just four days ago, George had posted a beaming selfie on Facebook in which he shared that he had purchased a gym membership. He captioned the photo of him sweating alongside another picture of a gym card: ‘Done. Full membership.’
Channel 4 led the tributes today, describing George as ‘part of the Gogglebox family’.
Meanwhile fellow TV personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who entered the Big Brother house the same year, wrote: ‘Breaks my heart but George Gilbey you are well and truly going to be missed my friend.
‘Always lit up the room, cared for others & the memories we made I’ll cherish for ever brother. From CBB to speaking to you last week, I’m going to hugely miss you ma boiii! Love you GG.’
Mr Guarnaccio, who also starred on Geordie Shore, said that George’s death came as a result of an ‘accident at work’.
A spokesman for Essex Police said: ‘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. A cordon remains in place at the scene.’
One of George’s close friends told 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.’
George and his family, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, were part of the Gogglebox cast which won a Bafta in 2014.
Tributes from celebrities and friends have flooded in for George who was described as ‘one in a million’.
Former EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook wrote: ‘Gone too soon. Good night, my darling friend George. I’m absolutely gutted xxx.’
Another friend posted: ‘Can’t believe what I’m reading, you were the happiest, the life of the party & such a big part of the HTA family. You will be very missed, rip George.’
A third said: ‘No words. Rip George James Gilbey. Sending our love to Linda McGarry and the family. So sad.’
And a fourth posted: ‘Absolutely speechless. Rest in eternal peace George James Gilbey. Thinking of all your family, life’s really is cruel & tomorrow is never promised!’
