Former Gogglebox and Celebrity Big Brother star George Gilbey has died after a tragic work accident aged 40.

Mr Gilbey, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, rose to fame on the second series of Gogglebox with his mother Linda McGarry and her husband Pete in 2013.

His sudden death comes less than three years after his father and co-star Pete died from cancer aged 71.

The Gilbey family left the Gogglebox sofa in 2014 when George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on rival Channel 5 – which was deemed a rule breaker by producers. His parents later rejoined the programme in 2016.

George, who had a seven-year-old daughter Amelie Iris Gilbey with Gemma Conway, was part of the fourteenth series of Celebrity Big Brother and reached the final.

Fellow TV personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who entered the Big Brother house the same year, tweeted today: ‘Breaks my heart but George Gilbey you are well and truely [sic] going to be missed my friend. 

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

The Gilbey family left Gogglebox in 2014 when George entered the Celebrity Big Brother house on rival Channel 5

George Gilbey is pictured during Celebrity Big Brother in 2014

Tributes have poured in to the late TV personality

His tragic death comes less than three years after his father Pete (right) died from cancer aged 71

‘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’. 

And a spokesman for Essex Police told The Sun: ‘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.’

George Gilbey is pictured on Celebrity Big Brother. He made the final in the fourteenth series

George worked at a Morrisons supermarket during the pandemic

Tributes have flooded in for George who was described as ‘one in a million’ by one friend.

Another wrote: ‘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!’

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 the year prior.

Just four days ago, George has posted on Facebook that he had purchased a gym membership and shared a photo of him sweating after a workout.

During the pandemic, it was reported that George was working at a Morrisons supermarket.

‘Everyone’s gotta do their bit… ‘, the reality TV star captioned his image at the time as he joined thousands of staff working during the global crisis.