If you're sad the long bank holiday weekend is over (hard relate), then the premiere of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! will no doubt perk you back up. The hit show returns tonight for its 'All Stars South Africa' edition, with a host of former I'm A Celeb... campmates in the line-up.
Along with the likes of Sir Mo Farah and Scarlett Moffatt, reality TV legend Gemma Collins will also be making her way back into the I'm A Celeb... camp. But, many viewers might be wondering, when did she appear on the show previously? And, more importantly, why was her stint in the jungle so short?
Ahead of tonight's premiere of I'm A Celeb... South Africa, here's everything you need to know about Gemma Collins.
Who is Gemma Collins?
Gemma Collins is, for lack of a better word, a reality TV legend in the UK. She first made a name for herself on ITV's The Only Way is Essex, making her debut on the second season in 2011.
Since then, she's gone on to appear on countless TV series (more on those in a moment), launch several businesses, and firmly cement herself as a British icon. Head to Love of Huns on Instagram for more evidence of that, if you don't believe us.
How old is Gemma Collins?
Gemma Collins is 45 years old.
What else has Gemma Collins been on?
After starring in several seasons of TOWIE, Gemma Collins was also booked for Celebrity Big Brother, Dancing on Ice, and Celebs Go Dating. Gemma has also featured in her own reality TV series, called Diva Forever, and is currently working on another. Gemma Collins: Four Weddings and a Baby is scheduled for release this year on Sky.
When was Gemma Collins on I'm A Celeb?
Gemma Collins appeared in the 14th season of I'm A Celeb... all the way back in November 2014. However, she only lasted three days in the Australian jungle.
Why did Gemma Collins leave I'm A Celeb?
Since quitting I'm A Celeb... back in 2014, Gemma Collins has been open about her reasons why. Essentially, she just couldn't hack the living conditions, and only stayed for three days as that was the minimum amount of time required to get her payout.
Leaving the show after 72-hours has been one of Gemma's biggest TV regrets, however. Ahead of the South African series, she admitted that quitting the show back in 2014 had "haunted" her ever since.
"I thought whatever happens to me in my life, I must go back into that jungle; it was one regret I had," she said in the lead-up to the new season. Be that as it may, Gemma revealed she was "bricking it" nonetheless.
"I was petrified, but you know what? I took a deep breath, I went in strong," she continued. "It’s not the GC in there, it’s Gemma Collins, as you’ve never seen her before."
Gemma went on: "You’ll see me vulnerable in there, you’ll see me thinking I’m Lara Croft, but I am delighted with who I got to do it with because we did have a good crack."
I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! South Africa season two starts on 6th April on ITV1 and ITVX.
