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.
Gemma Collins issues candid update to fans after Channel 4 self-harm documentary
Gemma Collins has issued a statement to fans after the release of her powerful self-harm documentary on Channel 4 - and she's "touched" with everyone's support.The 42-year-old TOWIE took to Instagram on Thursday night (February 17) to thank her 2.2 million followers for all of their support for the show.It comes just after the GC revealed her traumatic self-harm struggles in her latest documentary - Self Harm and Me - which aired on Wednesday.In the documentary, she said the first time she ever self-harmed was in front of her parents at the young age of 13.Gemma says she struggled with self-harming for two decades and used to hurt herself as a "release", but she kept her mental health battles private as she was "ashamed".
Catching up with fans, Gemma wrote: "Thank you so much for all your lovely kind words I have been very touched by your response and support and overwhelmed to find out how many families are going through the same and individuals please ask for help today,"She also referred any struggling to fans to self harm organisation Harmless, adding: "you will be in safe hands @harmless_uk"Speaking in the doc, Gemma said she didn't self-harm to kill herself.The TV star said: "I wasn't self harming to kill myself.
It was to release."I'd cover it up and get on with my life. I never told anyone because I was ashamed."Gemma went on to say: "The first time I cut myself was in front of my parents."They were just in a shock.
