Gemma Collins reveals sudden supernatural-like moment told her about looming fame
Gemma Collins shot to fame on The Only Way Is Essex in 2011.
Gemma Collins revealed she had a supernatural-like moment when she sensed The Only Way Is Essex was coming to change her life.
In 2011, the star was confused after being alerted about a looming transformation from a mystery voice whilst sitting in the BMW Harold Wood showroom, where she worked as a car salesperson.
And moments later, Gemma, 45, was asked to join the ITV reality show, which shot her to global stardom and eventually led her to become a millionaire.
During Wednesday night's (08.04.26's) episode of the network's I'm A Celebrity...South Africa, she recalled to her Savannah Scrub campmates, Waterloo Road alum Adam Thomas, 37, Coronation Street icon Beverley Callard, 69, and 40-year-old comedian Seann Walsh: "This is no word of a lie.
"I was sitting in the showroom one day, and it was like someone was standing next to me and whispered in my ear, 'Your life's about to change.' So much so, I looked round and thought, 'What was that?' But I knew I'd been given a message.
"Then I received a call, 'Would you like to come in - TOWIE here, we've heard you're a bit of a character?' And they said, 'We really want you on the show. If you could have a break from your job for seven weeks, and then we'll see where it is at the end.'
"So there were no guarantees."
Gemma was approached by bosses of The Only Way Is Essex after being suggested by Julie Childs, the mum of fellow show star and school pal Amy Childs, 35.
After many long-running storylines - including her tumultuous relationship with James "Arg" Argent, 38, and explosive arguments with her 39-year-old best pal Bobby Norris - Gemma left the show in 2014 but would instead make guest appearances up until 2019 when she decided to quit forever.
Lucrative deals then flooded in for the star, and she bagged herself a spin-off ITV series, titled Gemma Collins: Diva Forever, meaning The Only Way Is Essex was no longer needed.
But Gemma will always be grateful for The Only Way Is Essex.
Adam wondered if the reality TV legend enjoyed her time on the show, to which Gemma replied: "Yeah, I did. I wouldn't change it for the world.
"It gave me a massive leg up in life. I would've done well anyway."
Adam later said: "So that's what made you then, TOWIE? TOWIE put you on the map."
Agreeing, Gemma responded: "And that is why I would never, ever change it. But what happened was, as time was going on, I felt that I was living in, like, a Truman Show. I couldn't do it anymore."
