Second man arrested over Gogglebox star George Gilbey's death

1 May 2024, 14:41 | Updated: 1 May 2024, 15:07

A second man has been arrested in connection with George Gilbey's death.
A second man has been arrested in connection with George Gilbey's death. Picture: Getty

By Jenny Medlicott

A second man has been arrested in connection with the death of Gogglebox star George Gilbey.

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Mr Gilbey, 40, died from traumatic head and torso injuries after falling 80ft through a skylight on March 27.

The electrician was working in Shoebury, Essex when the fall occurred.

Essex police said a man, 36, from Witham was arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter on Wednesday.

He remains in custody and enquiries are ongoing, the force added.

It comes after a man, 47, was arrested in March on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the star's death. He has since been released under investigation.

Mr Gilbey became a household name following his appearance on Gogglebox, where he appeared alongside his mother, Linda McGarry, and stepfather Pete McGarry.

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George Gilbey was on Celebrity Big Brother.
George Gilbey was on Celebrity Big Brother. Picture: Alamy

Earlier this week, the reality TV star's mum Linda revealed her son's final words before his death.

She said she had stayed with a relative the night before his death but they still spoke on the phone.

Ms McGarry told The Sun: "He phoned me at 9.30 on the morning and said he was working — and asked me for his ‘breakfast money'.

"I put £30 in his account so he could get food, and he seemed fine.

"He had a drink the night before, and liked a bottle of white wine or two, but was happy that he was working.

"He ended the phone call by saying, ‘I love you’ like he usually did. I treasure those words."

Speaking for the first time after the incident, she said: "It was an honour for him to have been my son. We had a blast for 40 years."

She said Mr Gilbey was always "fussing" over her after she was diagnosed with Parkinson’s but he struggled financially and battled his own demons.

A private ceremony was held for the reality TV star last Thursday at Weeley Crematorium after a GoFundMe was set up, raising £7,000 for the service.

Crowds of people attended the service, with floral wreaths placed in the hearse and tributes laid near the crematorium.