Gemma Collins opens up about mother's death before wedding

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 12 Oct, 11:26 · Archive

Former TOWIE star Gemma Collins revealed on Big Brother that her mother Joan died the day before she was due to get married.

Gemma Collins made an emotional revelation during her appearance on Big Brother, telling fellow housemates that her mother Joan died the day before her wedding was due to take place. The former TOWIE star, 45, explained: 'I was meant to get married on the Thursday and my mum passed away on the Wednesday. What can you do?'

Collins described her mother as 'an amazing woman' and reflected on their 45 years together. She told the housemates: 'She was an amazing woman and I had an amazing 45 years with her. I was with her every day. It's one thing death, you know its going to happen but no-one speaks about it.' She added that she was trying to 'find the strength to carry on'.

Joan died aged 70 in July this year. At the time, Collins shared a heartfelt tribute on Instagram, writing that her heart had been 'shattered into a million pieces' and calling it 'the greatest privilege to be your daughter'. She wrote: 'No words will ever be enough to thank you for loving me, guiding me, and being my mum. You gave me life, you gave me strength, and you gave me memories that I will carry for every day I have left.'

Collins lightened the mood during her Big Brother conversation by joking about her wedding preparations. 'To be honest it was all a rush anyway,' she said. 'I ordered a dress off Shein it would not have gone down well.' Collins arrived in the Big Brother house for a 48-hour appearance as part of that week's House of Power.

How it is being reported

• Gemma Collins reveals mum died day before she was due to get marriedFormer TOWIE star Gemma Collins reveals her mum Joan died a day before her wedding on Celebrity Big Brother, as she opens up about grief and their 45-year bond.Echo (Basildon) · 12 Oct, 11:10
• Gemma Collins reveals mum died day before she was due to get marriedFormer TOWIE star Gemma Collins reveals her mum Joan died a day before her wedding on Celebrity Big Brother, as she opens up about grief and their 45-year bond.Colchester Gazette · 12 Oct, 11:10
• Gemma Collins opens up about mum's death hours before planned wedding dayGemma Collins entered the Big Brother house just minutes after Pauline's eviction last week, coming in for 48 hours for this week's House of PowerEssexLive · 12 Oct, 09:25

In this story: Gemma Collins · Joan Collins · Big Brother · TOWIE · Rami Hawash

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