Gemma Collins facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gemma Collins
Collins in 2021
Born	Gemma Clair Collins (1981-01-31) 31 January 1981 (age 44) Romford, London, England
Education	Sylvia Young Theatre School Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls
Occupation	Media personality businesswoman
Years active	2011–present
Partner(s)	Rami Hawash (2011–2014; 2020–present)

Gemma Clair Collins (born 31 January 1981) is an English media personality and businesswoman. She first became well-known for appearing on the ITVBe reality show The Only Way Is Essex from 2011 to 2019.

Since then, Collins has been on many other reality TV shows. These include I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (2014), Celebrity Big Brother (2016), and Dancing on Ice (2019). In 2018, she started her own reality series called Gemma Collins: Diva. She also began hosting a popular podcast for BBC Sounds in 2019.

Early life and school

Gemma Collins was born on 31 January 1981, in Romford, East London. Her mother, Joan, was a hairdresser, and her father, Alan, ran a shipping company. She has an older brother named Russell. Collins grew up in a loving family in Rise Park.

From a young age, Collins loved performing arts. She took dance lessons and went to stage school. When she was 14, she started at the famous Sylvia Young Theatre School. She even won a part in the musical The Sound of Music.

Collins was confident and outgoing at school. After attending Frances Bardsley Academy for Girls, her parents moved her to a private school for her final year. She left school at 16. Collins once said, "I remember sitting in the exam room for my maths GCSE and thinking, 'I'm going to be famous, I don't need maths.'"

After school, she worked several jobs. She was a waitress and worked in clothing shops. She also worked as a receptionist at a BMW car dealership, where she later became a sales executive.

Career on television

Becoming famous

In 2011, Collins was cast in the reality TV show The Only Way Is Essex. At the time, she was working as a used car salesperson. Her first scene showed her selling a car to fellow cast member Kirk Norcross. She quickly became a popular figure on the show.

In 2013, she released her first book, Basically...: My Life as a Real Essex Girl. It became a bestseller right away.

Collins then appeared on several competition shows. In 2014, she was on the diving show Splash!. Later that year, she joined I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.

In 2016, she was a housemate on Celebrity Big Brother, where she stayed for 29 days. That same year, she spoke out against the term "Essex girl" being used in a negative way in dictionaries. She wanted the definition changed because she felt it was unfair.

Starring in her own shows

Collins outside the BBC Broadcasting House filming a trailer for The Gemma Collins Podcast in August 2019

By 2018, Collins was a major star. She appeared on shows like Celebs Go Dating and Celebrity MasterChef. She also launched her own reality show special, Gemma Collins: Diva España.

In 2019, Collins competed on the popular skating show Dancing on Ice. During one live performance, she had a bad fall on the ice but still managed to get her highest scores. She was praised for her determination.

That same year, her own full reality series, Gemma Collins: Diva Forever, began on ITVBe. The show was a big hit. She also started The Gemma Collins Podcast on BBC Sounds, which became very popular.

In 2021, Collins appeared on Piers Morgan's Life Stories, where she talked about her life and career. She also was a guest judge on RuPaul's Drag Race UK.

Recent work

Collins performing during The GC's Big Night Out tour in April 2022

..... In the film, she bravely talked about her past struggles to help raise awareness. The documentary was praised by viewers and was nominated for a National Television Award.

In April 2022, she went on her first live theatre tour, called The GC's Big Night Out. She performed in cities across the UK, sharing stories and singing for her fans.

She was also cast as Matron "Mama" Morton in the UK tour of the musical Chicago. However, she had to pull out of the show because of a knee injury she got during Dancing on Ice.

Business projects

Fashion and beauty

Collins has launched several successful businesses. In 2012, she started her own plus-size clothing collection online. She wanted to offer fashionable clothes for women with curves. She later opened her own clothing boutiques.

She has worked with major fashion brands like Boohoo.com, Evans, and New Look. Her collections often include dresses, swimwear, and casual wear.

In 2019, she released her first perfume, Diva Pink. She has also launched lipsticks and false eyelashes. In 2021, she released her own skincare line called GemmaCollagen.

Other products and partnerships

Collins opening the new Elf Concierge Service at Heathrow Express in December 2023

Collins has partnered with many famous brands. She has appeared in adverts for Just Eat, Burger King, and the airline Wizz Air.

She has also worked with the snack company Walkers for their "Crisp In or Crisp Out" campaign. She argued that crisps belong inside sandwiches and won a debate against chef Fred Sirieix.

In 2021, she teamed up with the laundry brand Surf to release her own limited-edition detergent. She has also worked with Amazon Handmade on a Christmas gift collection.

Personal life

Collins lives in a barn conversion in Chelmsford, Essex, which she bought in 2021. She enjoys gardening and is passionate about animals and nature. Her home and garden feature several large animal sculptures.

In 2021, Collins confirmed she was back together with her former fiancé, Rami Hawash. They had first dated in 2011. In December 2021, she announced they were engaged for a second time. She is a stepmother to Hawash's son.

Collins has been open about her health. She has polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that can affect hormones and fertility. She has also talked about her weight loss journey, sharing her fitness routines on social media to inspire her followers.

Filmography