Reality television personality Gemma Collins has threatened to take legal action against ITV, seeking damages for a promotional sketch she describes as 'highly offensive' and 'damn right disgusting.'
Jungle All-Stars Row Erupts
The dispute centres on caricature sketches created by the broadcaster to promote the upcoming I'm A Celebrity... All Stars series. The 44-year-old star of The Only Way Is Essex, who filmed the spin-off in South Africa, was reportedly left feeling 'hurt' and 'upset' by her portrayal.
While fellow contestants including Sir Mo Farah, Harry Redknapp, Ashley Roberts, and Scarlett Moffatt saw the funny side, Collins felt the image was unkind. She expressed her frustration directly to producers in a group WhatsApp chat, where she refused to share the caricature with the rest of the cast.
A History of Jungle Trauma
This is not Collins's first difficult experience with the reality show. She first appeared on I'm A Celebrity in 2014, but her stint was infamously cut short after just three days due to the tough conditions.
It was later revealed that her vulnerable state at the time was compounded by a traumatic event. '24 hours before I went in, something really bad happened to me, and I had quite serious injuries, injuries to my head and all over my body,' she explained. Despite this, she attempted to continue, stating she didn't want to let anyone down.
An insider close to the current situation revealed the depth of her upset. 'She has worked hard over the years to feel confident in her own skin,' the source said, 'and it was difficult for her to see herself portrayed in such an exaggerated way.'
Resolution and Moving Forward
The source added that Collins felt it was unfair to be made a 'laughing stock' after putting significant energy into filming the All Stars series, especially after her negative first experience. However, it appears a resolution has been found.
'There is no dispute, and anything that upset Gemma has now been rectified,' another source confirmed. 'There was a creative process involved, with some back and forth, but everyone has been able to move forward.'
Collins, who is now engaged to Rami Hawash, has built a successful career since her early jungle exit, fronting a BBC podcast and filming her own reality series, Four Weddings and a Baby. Her return to the jungle was seen as a chance to showcase her personal growth.
I'm A Celebrity All Stars, which will also feature David Haye, Seann Walsh, and Sinitta, is scheduled to air early next year.
