Jump directly to the content

POLICE investigating George Gilbey's death has arrested a second man after the Gogglebox star fell to his death.

George, 40, was scaling the roof of a warehouse in Essex without a harness when the tragedy unfolded, pals said.

George Gilbey died after falling from a roof
5
George Gilbey died after falling from a roof
Heartbroken mum Linda paid tribute to her 'best friend'
5
Heartbroken mum Linda paid tribute to her 'best friend'
George died trying to earn cash so he could move nearer his daughter Amelie
5
George died trying to earn cash so he could move nearer his daughter Amelie

Police today confirmed a second man has been arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter.

The 36-year-old is being held as part of a joint probe by Essex Police and the Health and Safety Executive.

A colleague previously arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter has since been released under investigation.

George was tragically declared dead at the EGL Homecare site in Shoebury, Essex, on March 27.

An inquest heard how George died from traumatic head and torso injuries.

Essex Coroner's Court was told the star, who had a young daughter, fell through a plastic skylight on to the ground below.

A post mortem found his injuries were "consistent with a fall from height".

George's death came three years after that of his stepdad Peter McGarry, who starred with him and mum Linda McGarry, 74, on Gogglebox.

In a statement Linda said the loss is devastating and she has lost her "best friend".

She said: "He had the best heart in the world. He was generous, funny and kind, with bundles of charm and buckets of personality.

"He did more in his 40 years than people do in 90 – he’s even had dinner with the Prince of Dubai.

"He was crazy, but after coming out of showbiz, he couldn’t get his life back together. He just couldn’t get over the death of Pete."

The second arrest comes after heartbroken Linda exclusively told The Sun her son's last words to her were "I love you".

Dad-of-one George called her just hours before the tragedy.

Linda, 74, of Clacton, Essex, said: “He was happy. He ended the call with ‘I love you’. I treasure those words.”

George died trying to earn cash so he could move nearer his daughter, his devastated mum also revealed.

Linda told how he was desperate to help co-parent his beloved seven-year-old, Amelie.

Amelie, seven, lives with her mum Gemma Conway in South West London.

Linda said: “George was trying to get money together to get a room.

"He was going to rent from his friend, Skippy, near to Amelie in Twickenham.

“George was on great terms with Gemma and wanted to do things like pick Amelie up from school.

"He wanted to be with Amelie, who he adored.

“They were on the third day of a job that was going to last a month, and he was going to get money together from that.

Read more on the Scottish Sun

“When they were together, George and Amelie were always laughing. She is going to miss him terribly, like we all will.”

Mum Linda and stepdad Pete on Gogglebox with George
5
Mum Linda and stepdad Pete on Gogglebox with George
Linda told The Sun George was working to save money so he could be nearer his daughter
5
Linda told The Sun George was working to save money so he could be nearer his daughter