Gemma Collins has hit back at critics who questioned her involvement in a government video about children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND), insisting she was 'honoured' to take part and that the issue is 'close to my heart'. The 45-year-old reality star, best known for appearing on The Only Way Is Essex, featured alongside Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson in a clip that went viral on social media.
Video Collaboration Sparks Controversy
The video, which appeared to capitalise on a trend inspired by the film The Devil Wears Prada, showed Collins arriving at the Department for Education and asking staff: 'Right. What are we doing to help the children?' before being escorted into the minister's office. Despite its popularity online, the collaboration drew widespread criticism from parents of SEND children, who questioned whether Collins was the appropriate choice for such a promotion. Some speculated that she had been paid by the government, but Collins has firmly denied this.
Collins Responds to Critics
In a series of videos posted on Instagram, Collins addressed her doubters directly. 'I just want to come on and say stay tuned because I do have experience with SEND, and you know I don't really want at this stage to go into it that much, but you know, I do understand a little bit more than people think,' she said. She added that she was 'trying to spread positivity' and hinted that her connection to the issue would become clear soon.
In a second clip, she emphasised: 'At the end of the day I'm getting attention, I wasn't paid, I'm creating a lot of noise around the subject so please bear in mind that it's what I'm there to do for everyone and get people talking and just to anyone no-one paid me for it. I was honoured to do it and you know it is a topic close to my heart that I've been dealing with and it's all going to become clear hun.'
Visit to Specialist School
Collins also visited Focus 1st Academy, a specialist independent school, where she spoke with staff and students about SEND issues. The visit came after some parents labelled the video 'tone-deaf' and questioned her relevant experience. One parent said: 'This honestly feels like a mockery for those of us who have been battling for our children to be supported, protected and in a suitable education placement for their needs. We are exhausted and this is quite frankly, insulting.' Another described it as 'appallingly tone deaf'.
However, others welcomed the attention. 'Any publicity to raise awareness for our SEND pupils is vital,' said one parent. 'We don't have room to be picky about who speaks up for our children. Well done Gemma and anyone else that has a true experience that wants to help. No experience is too small.'
Education Secretary Defends Collins
Bridget Phillipson also came to Collins' defence, telling BBC Radio 5 Live that there was 'no payment' involved and that she 'got Gemma a couple of cans of Red Bull but that was it'. She blamed the backlash on 'outright snobbery', adding: 'I think some of the discussion around this that I've seen has veered between outright snobbery and just downright unpleasant really and just a bit of killjoy attitude. There's enough doom and gloom in the world, there's enough bad things happening, a bit of joy and a bit of fun, I think could do us all a good favour.'
The Department for Education confirmed that the collaboration would continue, with Collins posting content produced by her own team on her channels. The initiative aims to promote alternative qualifications for those who do not always excel academically, including new vocational qualifications known as V-Levels, as well as pathways to employment.
Collins' Background
Collins, often referred to by her alter-ego 'The GC', rose to fame in 2011 on The Only Way Is Essex and has since appeared on shows including Celebrity Big Brother and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here. She recently featured in the All Stars series of I'm a Celebrity, which was marked by bullying rows and spats among cast members.
