Gogglebox star George Gilbey’s cause of death has been disclosed as the TV personality died after falling through a skylight. The 40-year-old sustained severe injuries to his head and torso and succumbed at the scene, the hearing in Chelmsford revealed. George Gilbey, known for his appearances on Gogglebox, had been working on a roof when he plummeted 80ft through a plastic skylight, as disclosed during an inquest.
The Essex-based coroner, Lincoln Brookes, commenced and subsequently adjourned Monday’s inquest, awaiting the conclusion of a criminal inquiry. Coroner’s officer Deborah Frost stated that Mr. Gilbey was “working on a roof when he fell through a plastic skylight, landing on the ground below.”
Emergency services, including paramedics and police, responded, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, with the initial cause of death noted as “traumatic injury to head and torso consistent with fall from height”. Gilbey gained prominence as a regular face on prime-time television with his family on Gogglebox, a stint that lasted from 2013 to 2018.
The late star, alongside his parents Linda McGarry and step-father Pete, garnered a devoted fan base. Hailing from Essex, Gilbey’s popularity led to an appearance on the 2014 edition of Celebrity Big Brother, where he finished in fourth place.
Coroner Mr. Brookes acknowledged a request from Essex Police to halt the inquest proceedings until the completion of a criminal investigation, which was granted. The matter is set for review in four months.
A man in his 40s from the Witham area of Essex had previously been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with the incident, later being released by the police under investigation.
