Tribute to Gogglebox star ahead of charity match

The organiser of a charity football match paid tribute to Gogglebox star George Gilbey ahead of kick-off.

Bill Drabble said the death of the TV personality, who fell through a skylight while working at height in March, "still doesn't feel real".

The match, in Gilbey's hometown of Clacton-on-Sea, in Essex, on Saturday, will raise money for the star's daughter and a Parkinson's charity.

"The community have really, really pulled together and done him proud - and we're going to do his little girl proud too," Mr Drabble said.

Gilbey, a self-employed electrician, was working in Shoeburyness, near Southend-on-Sea, when he suffered the fatal fall.

A man, 36, from Witham, was later arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter in connection with his death.

A 47-year-old man, also from Witham, was held on suspicion of the same offence and later released under investigation.

"It still doesn't feel real even now, having carried him on his final journey at the funeral," Mr Drabble said.

"We had such a great, great relationship and laughed from start to finish."

The charity football match, to be held at FC Clacton's Rush Green Bowl stadium, had a long list of celebrities invited, Mr Drabble added.

They included former X Factor singers Olly Murs and Stevi Ritchie, as well as several Gogglebox personalities.

"A lot of time and effort has gone into it. A team of us, all friends of George, have done this start to finish," Mr Drabble said.

"Quite a lot of people have worked really, really hard on it. Everyone has been helping, jumping in and putting 110% into it.

"As George always said, we're going to 'keep it moving' for him."

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.