George Gilbey’s devastated mum Linda McGarry breaks silence on son’s tragic death & thanks fans for ‘outpouring of love’
GEORGE Gilbey’s heartbroken mum Linda McGarry has thanked fans for their support following her son’s tragic death.
The Gogglebox star, 74, has been left ‘taken aback’ by the hundreds of messages as people remember George, who passed away at the age of 40 in a tragic accident.
Linda has chosen to have George’s close friend Ricci Guarnaccio speak on her behalf while she tries to come to terms with what has happened.
Speaking to The Sun today, Ricci – who met George when they appeared on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014 – said: “Linda wants to say a huge thank you to everyone who has sent condolences.
“She just wants everyone to remember him for who he was. She’s obviously hurt at the minute but it's hugely appreciated. It”
Ricci – who spoke to George on the phone just last week – continued: “For the family, for Linda, she really, really wants everyone to know she’s taken back.
Read More on George Gilbey
“And she's getting shown a lot of the messages that's come through because she doesn't really deal with Twitter and stuff.
- George Gilbey dead at 40
- Star's tragic final photo revealed
- Channel 4 say star was 'part of family'
- Cops confirm his death
- Tributes pour in for George from celebs
- Star's mum Linda 'in bits' over death
“All the messages that people have been saying - all the stories, all the good times that George's has brought to their lives, and all the funny memories they've got from Gogglebox and Big Brother - it does mean a lot to her.
“So if people could keep doing that, it would be appreciated.”
George’s death three years after that of his stepdad Peter McGarry, who starred with him and mum Linda on Gogglebox.
The Essex family were axed from the show in 2014 - but George stepped into the Celebrity Big Brother house the same year.
George was much loved on CBB and made it all the way to the final impressing viewers.
George died on Wednesday at the EGL Homecare site in Shoebury, Essex.
A work colleague who was with George when he fell to his death in a warehouse has been arrested for manslaughter.