Gogglebox star’s death puts spotlight on falls from height at work

The man has been named in media reports as 40-year-old George Gilbey, a self-employed electrician who found fame on TV shows Gogglebox and Celebrity Big Brother.

George Gilbey, centre, found fame on TV show Gogglebox. Photograph: C4 Gogglebox

Channel 4 said in a statement: “George was part of the Gogglebox family 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.”

A spokesperson for Essex Police said it had “received a report of an incident at Campfield Road in Shoebury at around 10am [on] 27 March, during which a man who was working at height had fallen and sustained an injury”.

The spokesperson added: “The ambulance service, including air ambulance, were in attendance. Sadly, the man died at the scene. We will continue liaising with partners, including the Health and Safety Executive [HSE].”

A man in his forties from the Witham area has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in relation to the incident, said Essex Police.

A spokesperson for HSE confirmed that it is “working with Essex Police in their investigation”.

Gilbey’s LinkedIn profile shows that in addition to his TV work, he was a self-employed electrician for a Clacton-on-Sea-based company called WindG Ltd.

The latest HSE figures show that 40 people lost their lives due to a fall from height in 2022/23, with falls from height being responsible for 30 per cent of all workplace deaths.

To raise awareness about the consequences of falls from height and how to prevent them, the No Falls Foundation – a charity dedicated to the work at height sector – is launching its first ever No Falls Week on 13-17 May.