Gemma Collins
Gemma Collins | |
|---|---|
| Born | Gemma Collins 2 February 1981 |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Television personality, car saleswoman |
| Years active | 2011-present |
| Television | The Only Way Is Essex |
| Partners | James "Arg" Argent (2011-12) Rami Hawash (2013-) |
| Relatives | Joan Collins (mother) |
| Website | Official website |
Gemma Collins (born 22 February 1981) is an English television personality and car saleswoman, best known for being a cast member of the ITV2 semi-reality programme The Only Way Is Essex. She joined the show in its second series in 2011 and has remained part of the main cast since.
Early life
Having attended the Sylvia Young Theatre School as a child, Collins later participated in several theatre productions including The Sound of Music.[1]
The Only Way Is Essex
In 2011, Julie Childs, mother of Collins' schoolfriend Amy, informed producers of the ITV2 semi-reality programme The Only Way Is Essex–in which Amy featured–about Collins. They came round to Collins' house and then filmed her and her friends for two weeks.[2] After going back to work selling cars for a week, she was hired and joined the cast of TOWIE from its second series in 2011; her first ever scene was selling a car to Kirk Norcross.[2] Gemma's mother Joan joined in the fifth series in April 2012.[3] Collins used to date fellow castmember James "Arg" Argent, until they broke up in August 2012.[4]
Other activities
Collins did a nude photo shoot for Heat in 2011. She has admitted that she would love to dress Adele in her clothing range.[1] She occasionally presents competition segments of the ITV daytime programme This Morning. She has also made appearances on Loose Women, 8 Out of 10 Cats, Big Brother's Bit on the Side, Celebrity Juice and I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! NOW!.
On 23 December 2013, it was announced that Collins would be participating in the second series of the ITV diving show Splash!.[5] On 4 January 2014, she took part in the first heat, but was eliminated in a Splash-off with Michaela Strachan.[6]
Personal life
Collins had a very public weight battle in 2011 and admitted, "I felt safe when I was eating. Food became my friend."[7] In April 2013, Collins revealed how she suffered in early 2011. Having previously had an abortion, she felt it was "God's way of punishing me".[8] She released her autobiography Basically: My Real Life as an Essex Girl in June 2013 and it became a bestseller in its first week of release.[9] On 27 December 2013, it was announced that Collins had become engaged to boyfriend Rami Hawash.[10]
References
- ^ a b "Gemma Collins biography". gemmacollins.com. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ a b Meyler, Piers (6 January 2014). "TOWIE's Gemma Collins' top job tips for youngsters". Brentwood Gazette. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ^ "Gemma Collins' mum has joined The Only Way Is Essex". 4Music. 12 April 2012. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ^ Spedding, Emma (10 August 2012). "Vodka, flirting and some very weird faces: Gemma's boozy night out after dumping boyfriend Arg". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
- ^ Splash! Hollyoaks stunner and TOWIE star aim to make a Splash! as hit ITV show returns - Mirror Online
- ^ Tonks, Owen (4 January 2014). "Splash! 2014 result recap: Perri Kiely and Michaela Strachan make it through to the semi-final". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|coauthors=ignored (|author=suggested) (help) - ^ Rainbird, Ashleigh (23 April 2013). "Gemma Collins on her weight battle: "I was ramming food in so fast I couldn't breathe"". Daily Mirror. Trinity Mirror. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ Strange, Fay (22 April 2013). "Gemma Collins reveals she lost a baby but believes it's 'punishment' for previous abortion". Daily Mail. DMG Media. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ by Admin (28 May 2013). "Gemma Collins autobiography 'Basically' is a bestseller!". gemmacollinsofficial.com. Retrieved 25 October 2013.
- ^ Saunders, Emmeline (27 December 2013). "TOWIE's Gemma Collins just got engaged! Congratulations to her and Rami Hawash!". Heat. Bauer Media Group. Retrieved 8 January 2014.