Entertainment
Gogglebox star’s family struggle to raise money for funeral-Danni Scott-Entertainment – Metro
They’re thousands away from the goal.
George Gilbey’s family have asked for donations for his funeral (Picture: Ian West/PA Wire)
Last month, Gogglebox star George Gilbey died at the age of 40, leaving his family devastated and now struggling to cover his funeral cost.
Gilbey died in a ‘freak’ workplace accident in Essex on March 28, after falling 80 feet through a skylight while working on a warehouse roof.
A man was later arrested but released while the scene at EGL Homecare in Shoebury, Southend-on-Sea, was cordoned off by police.
The shock death comes just three years after the death of stepdad and fellow Gogglebox star Pete McGarry, who died at aged 71 from bowel cancer.
Mum, Linda, is said to be ‘in bits’ after the loss and now a GoFundMe page has been set up to cover the funeral.
The date of the funeral is yet to be confirmed but the family are aiming to raise £5,000, with any excess being put aside for his daughter.
He rose to fame on Gogglebox with his family (Picture: Jude Edington)
The page states that a local funeral service in Clacton will take the donations on behalf of the family, ‘so we can give George the send off he deserves’.
Organiser Rob Barlow wrote: ‘I know his passing has come to a shock for a lot of people, he was such a big character in life and is going to be sorely missed by friends, family and all who knew him.
‘I think I can safely say we all enjoyed watching him on Gogglebox, Big Brother and all his other TV appearances.
‘Anything you can donate would be a great help to the family so thank you in advance, all money will go to Linda to pay for his funeral costs and any funds that are left over after will be given to George’s 8 year old daughter Amelie.’
Currently over 200 donations have been given, amounting to over £3,000 towards the costs.
The family are asking for £5,000 to cover costs (Picture: Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock)
On Thursday, March 29, a man in his 40s from the Witham area of Essex was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the death.
He has now been released under investigation, with police launching a joint investigation with the Health and Safety Executive and inquiries are ongoing.
In a statement to Metro.co.uk, 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.
Gilbey’s death was confirmed by his sister who wrote on social media: ‘Rest in eternal paradise brother. Far too young but god only takes the best.’
He first appeared on Gogglebox in September 2013, alongside his mum Linda and late stepdad Pete, with the family returning to the show in 2016.
Mum Linda is said to be ‘in bits’ (Picture: S Meddle/ITV/Shutterstock)
After two more years, Gilbey exited having finished fourth on Celebrity Big Brother.
A colleague who was there at the time he fell said Gilbey was on the roof of the warehouse and had ‘not been in a good way’.
They told The Sun: ‘George 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.
‘He was shouting back that he was all right, even though he was not very steady on his feet. Then, he apparently came through a skylight so fell from the outside of the roof about 80ft on to concrete inside.’
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Gogglebox star reveals baby son was hospitalised twice in one month
Entertainment – MetroRead More
