Gogglebox star Linda pays tribute to co-star son George Gilbey after ‘devastating’ death

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Gogglebox star Linda McGarry has paid tribute to her co-star son, George Gilbey, who has died aged 40.

McGarry, who appeared on the Channel 4 leisure present with Gilbey, in addition to her late husband Pete, mentioned she was “devastated” after a office incident noticed Gilbey fell from a peak on 27 March.

“I’m devastated – he was like my best friend,” McGarry mentioned, including: “He had the best heart in the world. He was generous, funny and kind, with bundles of charm and buckets of personality.

“He did more in his 40 years than people do in 90 – he’s even had dinner with the Prince of Dubai.”

McGarry mentioned Gilbey, who appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, had been making an attempt to “rebuild his life after “coming out of showbiz” following the death of his stepdad from bowel most cancers in 2021.

“He just couldn’t get over the death of Pete,” McGarry informed The Mirror, including that Gilbey additionally just lately struggled with the information his mom had been identified with Parkinson’s illness.

“George took it worse than me,” she mentioned, including: “He came to celebrity over night but didn’t really want to be – he was just normal. But it allowed him to do charity work and anytime anyone contacted him about charity work, he prioritised it.”

Essex Police mentioned of the accident that led to Gilbey’s death: “Sadly, the man died at the scene. We will continue liaising with partners including the Health and Safety Executive. A cordon remains in place at the scene.”

The ambulance service and air ambulance attended however, regardless of efforts to save him, Gilbey died on the scene.

McGarry mentioned of her son, who had a seven-year=outdated daughter together with his ex-partner: “George was a real contradiction – he was so funny and so intelligent. A lot of people don’t know how intelligent George was.

“He was smart, which allowed him to be quick-witted and he was loud and outgoing, but at the same time very sensitive. He helped others, but he struggled himself.”