Gemma Collins 'embarrassed' to see I'm A Celebrity...South Africa hosts Ant and Dec at ITV parties
Gemma Collins signed up for I'm A Celebrity...South Africa to redeem herself after her early exit in 2014 and prove to hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly that she is stronger now.
Gemma Collins was too "embarrassed" to face Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly at ITV bashes because of her abysmal performance on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2014.
The reality TV icon left the show's Australian-based jungle after three days because the experience was not for her, and with Gemma now doing the spin-off show, I'm A Celebrity...South Africa, she hopes to prove to hosts Ant and Dec, both 50, that she is stronger now.
Gemma, 45, told The Sun newspaper: "Me quitting has been a shadow hanging over me. Going on All Stars is a real moment for me in my career - it’s redemption.
"To be able to do this again is the greatest honour ever. If I could get crowned the 'Legend', I would just feel complete in my life.
"I am so excited to see Ant + Dec again. It has been embarrassing whenever I have been to ITV parties, knowing their first thought might be, 'Oh no, there is that girl who left the jungle.'
"I want to show them what I am made of and get that newfound respect.”
Reflecting on her time on the Australia-based version in 2014, she added: "I just hated it from the minute I got in there, and I couldn’t wait to get out.
"I didn’t do any trials. I gave up before I started. I don’t think anyone goes into the jungle going ‘woohoo’. It’s not normal to be faced with animals."
Gemma is adamant that she will stay in the camp - located in Kruger National Park - for more than 72 hours and will finally do a gruesome challenge.
The Only Way Is Essex alum said: "There is no way I am going to be leaving after 72 hours. I am in it to win it. I am going through to the end.
"I am going to be the best campmate and get those stars. None of us will be starving under my watch."
Tuesday night's (07.04.26's) episode will see Gemma and her 2014 co-star, Red Dwarf alum Craig Charles, 61, enter camp, and they go straight into doing a dreaded eating trial.
And Gemma cannot wait to seize the opportunity to show she is no longer the weak person seen on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! in 2014.
The star said: "I am going in as Gemma Collins. Gemma Collins is a self-made woman. I have been to hell and back to get to where I am today.
"With hindsight, I realise I wasn’t wholesome or grounded when I went in.
"I was this girl from Essex who was all about Range Rovers, fancy jewellery and fancy coats. I wasn’t as strong as I made out. I needed to work on my character and build myself up.
"I am going to South Africa with a very different mindset. My soul told me it was right for me. I’ve never been to South Africa before.
"I think that is why they made a show on Essex people, because none of us have really left Essex!"
