Gogglebox star George Gilbey was 'trying to turn his life around' for the sake of his seven-year-old daughter after assault and drink-drive convictions when he suffered fatal fall aged 40

When he leapt onto Britain's TV screens alongside his parents on Gogglebox, George Gilbey immediately became a fan favourite.

Blessed with a lively sense of humour, the Essex native charmed viewers with his jocular attitude and his loving relationship with his mother Linda McGarry and step-father Pete.

An appearance on Celebrity Big Brother introduced him to a new legion of fans, and appeared to confirm his rising star among the UK's TV scene.

But behind the jokes and the banter, Gilbey appeared to have some trouble adjusting to the fame he found with the hit Channel 4 show and ending up in court for his off-screen behaviour.

He wasn't seen on TV again after being convicted of trying to strangle the mother of his child, and a prison sentence for drink driving appeared to seal the end of his Gogglebox career.

His death at the age of 40 yesterday in a workplace accident - just three years after step-father passed away from bowel cancer - sparked a wave of tributes from former co-stars and fans alike.

Heartbroken friends revealed today that after a troubled few years, the star had been working hard to get his life back on track for the sake of his much-loved daughter. 

When he first appeared the second season of Gogglebox in 2013, few could have imagined what the next decade had in store for the then-30-year-old.

Flanked by mother Linda and step-father Pete at their home in Clacton-on-Sea, the family became a regular and welcome sight for viewers of the show

Known to his friends as Squeaky George because of his high-pitched voice, Gilbey became popular for his sense of humour and the obvious bond he shared with his parents.

It had been an accident of fate that allowed the trio to appear on screen together, with Linda's son only moving back in with his parents following the end of a long-term relationship.

He admitted he'd had doubts before appearing on the programme, saying in 2014: 'I've seen those shows like Come Dine With Me where people don't come across particularly well, but I have to say I'm really happy with how it's gone so far.'

Things would get even better, with Gogglebox winning a BAFTA the same year followed by a surprisingly Lothario-like appearance on Celebrity Big Brother.

The unlikely womaniser had spent the early part of the series charming Made in Chelsea star Stephanie Pratt, even sharing a kiss with the American and discussing whether they would be each other's 'back-up plan' in case they hadn't met anyone else in five years time. 

However, after Pratt was voted out of the house, he quickly moved on to Edele Lynch, from Irish girl band B*Witched, with the pair heard smooching underneath the covers of his bed.

When questioned about the unlikely couple after he finished in fourth place on the show, Gilbey remarked: 'Edele's lovely. We had a few drinks, we went to bed and we had a few cuddles.'

The admission didn't go down well with Pratt, who wrote on Twitter: 'Still haven't picked an outfit for tonight's CBB final!!!! Need something cute for when I see my ex-husband & his new wife Edele.'

With his star rising following his eventful time in the Big Brother house, the Essex lad became a regular feature on the reality TV show social circuit, hanging out with the likes of TOWIE star Lauren Goodger.

However, even as early as then cracks were beginning to appear, with Gilbey admitting that he had blown most of his CBB by gambling, even losing £12,000 in one night at a casino. 

His decision to jump ship to the Channel 5 show had other consequences, as Channel 4 axed his family from the show in retribution for moving to the rival service.

But he remained busy while off screen, returning to his career as an electrician and kindling up a romance with Gemma Conway, who he would go onto have a daughter called Amelie with in 2016.

He professed his love for Gemma, saying she wasn't 'superficial' like some of the women he had met since appearing on CBB and that she was 'genuine'.

He said that becoming a father was 'going to totally change my life and I can't wait'.

The next year he returned to Gogglebox with his parents, taking up his regular position in the middle of their black leather sofa at their home for filming.

But off camera, things were not so rosy for the star, as problems with alcohol played havoc in his personal life and his relationship with Gemma broke down.

In 2018 he was convicted of attacking the mother of his child in a drunken rage at her flat in Twickenham.

The assault, which saw Gilbey throw a TV at his ex-girlfriend and smash up her flat while their daughter slept upstairs, left Gemma begging him not to kill her.

The court heard he punched Ms Conway 'around ten times' before hitting her with household objects and throwing them at her. He is then said to have strangled her with both hands and trashed her flat as she lay bleeding. 

The reality star would avoid an immediate prison sentence, instead being given a community order and told to pay £1,105 in compensation.

His own lawyers painted a grim picture of his personal life, revealing that Gilbey was in considerable debt and could not afford to pay the court costs or compensation.

Just one year later he did not get such a reprieve, as he was jailed for three months after being caught drink driving at a petrol station.

He had walked to the Tesco pumps after his car ran out of petrol, but staff called the police on him after smelling alcohol on his breath.

He was breathalysed by officers, who found he was nearly three times over the drink drive limit.

It was the lowest point in a dramatic fall from grace for Gilbey, who had left Gogglebox at around the same time of his assault conviction.

Following his release from prison, the reality star attempted to get his life back on track away from the limelight.

In the midst of the Covid pandemic in 2020 he revealed he was working for Morrison's during the first Covid lockdown, a sign that he was eager to play his part in society.

In the years since he has kept away from controversy, with friends telling The Sun he was working hard for the sake of his daughter when he tragically fell to his death in Essex yesterday.

Police confirmed that George had been working at height when he fell and sustained an injury at around 10am on Wednesday morning in Shoeburyness, Southend-on-Sea.

Despite ambulance crews and air ambulances rushing to the scene, the Gogglebox star did not survive.

A police cordon remains in place at EGL Homecare, where the tragedy is believed to have unfolded. Pictures show a large blue cherry picker leading up to the roof of the factory where several scaffolding poles are lined up, while two police cars are visible.

Just four days ago, George had posted a beaming selfie on Facebook in which he shared that he had purchased a gym membership. He captioned the photo of him sweating alongside another picture of a gym card: 'Done. Full membership.'

Channel 4 led the tributes today, describing George as 'part of the Gogglebox family'.

Meanwhile fellow TV personality Ricci Guarnaccio, who entered the Big Brother house the same year, wrote: 'Breaks my heart but George Gilbey you are well and truly going to be missed my friend.

'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'.

A spokesman for Essex Police said: '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.'

One of George's close friends told The Sun: 'This will hit his family very hard, especially Linda. First, she lost Pete, now her son as well. She is incredibly emotional. George was like her little treasure.'

George and his family, from Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, were part of the Gogglebox cast which won a Bafta in 2014.

Tributes from celebrities and friends have flooded in for George who was described as 'one in a million'.

Former EastEnders actress Daniella Westbrook wrote: 'Gone too soon. Good night, my darling friend George. I'm absolutely gutted xxx.'

Another friend posted: '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!'