Gemma Clare Collins (born 31 January 1981) is an English media personality and businesswoman. In 2011, she began appearing on the ITVBe reality series The Only Way Is Essex. Following a brief appearance on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! (2014), Collins has appeared in various television programmes including Celebrity Big Brother (2016), Celebs Go Dating (2018), and Dancing on Ice (2019). In 2019, she began starring in her own reality series and hosting a podcast on BBC Sounds.
Loose Women panelist has left many excited fans over the moon after it was announced that she would be replacing Gemma Collins in the upcoming Chicago tour.TOWIE star Gemma was set to play Mama Morton in the production, but has reportedly suffered a knee injury, leaving her forced to pull out.She was supposed to be making her debut with the musical at Sunderland Empire this month.However, hope was not lost after it was announced today that Brenda will be taking over from June 2.Brenda has a background in musicals and has even played the role before, making her West End debut playing the matron of the women's ward at Cook County Jail in 2007.The Loose Women panellist has also appeared in Hairspray, Carousel and We Will Rock You.She will star alongside Lee Mead, Faye Brookes, Djalenga Scott, Jamie Baughan and BE Wong.Brenda will be part of the production till July 23 with dates at Cardiff New Theatre, Winter Gardens Blackpool, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Norwich Theatre Royal and New Theatre Oxford.The news of Brenda's latest career moves comes after the devastating loss of her music mogul son, Jamal, earlier this year.Jamal died from a heart attack at just 31 on February 20, with his heartbroken mother there holding his hands in his final moments.The presenter revealed on her return to Loose Women the little comfort she has from being with her son as he took his last breaths.Recalling the evening of Jamal’s death, she said: "I was with him.