Gemma Collins has revealed she is considering leaving Essex for a new life after the death of her mum, Joan, in July. The 45-year-old reality star, who is currently a guest in the Big Brother house, said she no longer feels tied to the county and is thinking about moving further north to be "happy every day" as she navigates her grief.
Dream home plans on hold
During an appearance on the At Home With The Thomas Bros podcast, Scott Thomas asked Gemma about the "dream home" she had mentioned on her show, Gemma Collins: Everything All At Once. She reportedly bought her Essex property for £1.3 million in 2021.
Giving an update on her plans, Gemma explained: "I was buying that but I couldn't sell mine so if anyone wants to buy my house, please buy it."
She went on to reveal that the day before her mum died, an estate agent had contacted her to say that buyers had pulled out of the property she wanted and asked whether she was still interested. Following the loss, Gemma admitted she had begun to reconsider whether she wanted to remain in Essex.
No more ties to Essex
She told the Thomas brothers, Scott, Ryan and Adam: "If I'm honest with you, since mum's passed, I don't feel like I've got any ties in Essex anymore."
"Because she was such a... our family unit my mum, she's gone now. I spent all of my life in Essex to be with mum, I'd never go away for long or anything so, I'll leave the house there I think but I don't know if I want to settle their long-term now," she added.
After Adam suggested they could become neighbours in Manchester, Gemma revealed she did "really like" the city, while also mentioning Liverpool and Cheshire as places she loved. "I like the people, you've got the same hunger up here as well," she shared.
Reflecting on grief and the future
Reflecting on what she wants from the next chapter of her life, Gemma added: "I'm 45 now and I'm in a great position and I just want to be happy every day to be honest."
The reality star, who rose to fame on The Only Way Is Essex, recently opened up to her fellow Big Brother housemates about her mum's death. "She was an amazing woman and I had an amazing 45 years with her. I was with her every day," she shared.
Gemma also revealed that she had been due to get married the day after her mum died. Reflecting on the circumstances, she added: "What can you do?" Despite the heartbreaking situation, she managed to inject some of her trademark humour into the conversation: "To be honest it was all a rush anyway, I ordered a dress off Shein it would not have gone down well."
