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Gogglebox's George Gilbey died from traumatic injuries, inquest told

PA Media George Gilbey waving at Celebrity Big BrotherPA Media
George Gilbey appeared in Celebrity Big Brother in 2014

Former Gogglebox personality George Gilbey died from traumatic head and torso injuries after he fell from height while working, a coroner heard.

The self-employed electrician, 40, was working in Shoeburyness, Essex, on 27 March.

A short inquest hearing in Chelmsford was told Gilbey fell through a skylight while working on a roof.

A man was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter relating to Gilbey's death.

The suspect, aged in his 40s, has since been released under investigation.

Channel 4 George Gilbey, his mother Linda and late stepfather Pete, sitting on a black sofaChannel 4
George Gilbey, his mother Linda and late stepfather, Pete, were fixtures on the Channel 4 show between 2013 and 2018

Gilbey was one of the early regulars on the reality show Gogglebox, where families sitting in their living rooms are filmed reacting to television programmes.

He appeared on the show between 2013 and 2018, and on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014.

A post-mortem examination found his injuries were "consistent with a fall from height," Essex coroner's court heard.

Senior coroner Lincoln Brookes said he would adjourn proceedings for four months at the request of Essex Police.

"[Gilbey] was working on a roof when he fell through a plastic skylight and landed on the ground below," coroner's officer Deborah Frost told the hearing.

C4 Gogglebox wrote on its official X account, formerly known as Twitter, that its "thoughts and deepest condolences" were with Gilbey's loved ones following his death.

A fundraiser set up to cover the cost of his funeral received more than £6,500 in donations from hundreds of people after it was launched.

Lewis Adams/BBC A bouquet of flowers outside an industrial siteLewis Adams/BBC
Flowers could be seen at the gates to EGL Homecare, in Shoeburyness, the morning after Gilbey's death

Gilbey appeared on Celebrity Big Brother when the franchise was broadcast on Channel 5, finishing fourth.

Former Geordie Shore personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who appeared in Celebrity Big Brother alongside him, posted on X: "You are well and truly going to be missed my friend.

"Always lit up the room, cared for others and the memories we made I'll cherish forever brother."

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