The investigation into the death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey has been closed by police over a year after he fell 80ft while working as an electrician.
On March 27, 2024, Gilbey fell through a skylight while working on a roof at EGL Homecare in Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea and was pronounced dead at the scene aged 40.
A short inquest hearing was told his cause of death was traumatic head and torso injuries ‘consistent with a fall from a height’.
Two men, now aged 37 and 49 and both from Witham, were arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the death, but charges have now been dropped and the investigation closed.
Essex Police confirmed to the BBC they had both been released without charge and would face no further action.
However, a criminal investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) remains ongoing.
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‘The thoughts of everyone at Essex Police remain with George’s family and friends,’ a spokeswoman told the BBC.
Gilbey appeared on the Channel 4 reality show between 2013 and 2018 with his mum Linda and stepdad Pete McGarry, who died aged 71 from bowel cancer four years ago.
He also went on to appear in Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, finishing in fourth place.
The family were popular on the show, with their down-to-earth personalities and funny quips.
Linda paid tribute to her son weeks after his death, as she told Clacton Gazette he was ‘generous, funny and kind’.
She 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 bundles of charm and buckets of personality.’
The star ‘did more in his 40 years than people do in 90’, she said.
The grieving mother and widow also explained how when she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease Gilbey took it ‘worse than her’ as he was a ‘mummy’s boy’.
‘George was a real contradiction – he was so funny and so intelligent. A lot of people don’t know how intelligent George was,’ she added.
‘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.’
In a statement shared with Metro at the time of his death, a spokesperson for Gogglebox said: ‘George was part of the Gogglebox family for eight series alongside his mum Linda and step-dad Pete.
‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Linda, and George’s family and friends at this very sad time. The family have asked for privacy.’
Gilbey’s funeral took place on April 25 2024 at Weeley Crematorium after a friend of the family, Rob Barlow, asked for donations on behalf of Linda.
On a GoFundMe page, they wrote: ‘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 eight-year-old daughter Amelie.’
The fundraiser set a £5,000 goal but reached over £6,000.
Metro has contacted Essex Police for comment.
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