Gemma Collins was 'bricking it' about I'm A Celebrity return
Gemma Collins has opened up about her fears returning to I'm A Celebrity after having a "black cloud" hanging over since her 2014 appearance.
Gemma Collins was "absolutely bricking it" about heading into I'm A Celebrity... South Africa.
The 45-year-old reality TV icon has opened up about her fears returning to the ITV reality show all stars spinof, after lasting just three days in the 2014 series of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, and she is proud to be showing a more genuine side to herself.
She told Best magazine: "I was absolutely bricking it, I was petrified.
"My makeup artist slapped me at Heathrow Airport because I actually sat there and I went, 'Oh my God, I don't think I can actually go through this this!'
"I was petrified but I took a deep breath, I went in strong and, to be honest, I think I shut it down.
"When you watch me, I'm not being funny - I shut it down! It's not the GC in there, it's Gemma Collins as you've never seen her before."
The former TOWIE star admitted she felt like she had a "black cloud hanging over" her head after the initial jungle stint almost 12 years ago.
She explained: This was a total redemption for me. Obviously it didn't work out for me the first time round.
"When I got asked to do it again, I was like, 'I've spent my whole life with this black cloud hanging over my head.'
"Obviously, I'm older now and I just thought, 'I have to do this! Before whatever happens to me in my life, I must go back in that jungle.' It was one regret that I had."
After her return to the franchise, Gemma feels like she has proved a point to herself and the naysayers.
She added: "I came out like, 'Yeah! I've not got this dark cloud hanging over my head any more.' No one can say nothing about me because I've done it.
"I got my redemption 100 percent. It was a thousand, million percent the best decision I ever made."
Gemma filmed at Kruger National Park alongside the likes of fellow 2014 campmate Craig Charles, Coronation Street icon Beverley Callard, football legend Harry Redknapp and soap star Adam Thomas.
They will be joined by the likes of Gogglebox alum Scarlett Moffatt, former boxer David Haye, comedian Seann Walsh, Olympian Mo Farah, Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts, pop star Sinitta, and retired footballer Jimmy Bullard.
I'm A Celebrity... South Africa starts on April 9 on ITV1.
