Reality television personality Gemma Collins has revealed she feels 'broken inside' and has been struggling with her mental health following a series of serious health scares involving her mother.
Mother's Hospitalisation Takes Its Toll
The 44-year-old The Only Way Is Essex star shared her emotional turmoil in a heartfelt Instagram post, explaining that while she presented a glamorous festive image online, the reality behind the scenes has been dramatically different. This comes just weeks after her 70-year-old mother, Joan Collins, was hospitalised with pneumonia.
Gemma confessed to her followers that the last three weeks have been among the most difficult of her life. 'Behind the glam of this picture the last three weeks I have been broken inside and so low I can't tell you,' she wrote. She emphasised the importance of family, stating, 'Remember it's who's round the table and not what gifts you get.'
A Candid Plea for Support
Known for her typically upbeat and organised nature, Gemma admitted that her mother's hospital stay has left her feeling overwhelmed. 'Normally I'm 100 million miles ahead, upbeat and organised but with mum being in hospital I've not been able to cope recently, everything is too much, even getting dressed daily,' she revealed.
Her post also served as a plea for connection, asking her audience if anyone else was struggling and seeking tips for coping with feeling low, a state she described as unfamiliar. She poignantly noted the disparity between social media and real life, writing, 'It's funny how the gram tells a thousand lies!!!'
Previous Health Scares and Ongoing Recovery
This recent hospitalisation is not the first major health scare for Joan Collins. Last year, Gemma faced the terrifying prospect of losing her mother when she was rushed to hospital and stopped breathing. At the time, Gemma was told her mother could die and that medical staff would not resuscitate her if she went into cardiac arrest.
Thankfully, the current situation appears more hopeful. In a recent update, Gemma shared that her mother is 'slowly on the mend' at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. She expressed immense gratitude to the 'incredible doctors and physios' for their care.
Gemma ended her emotional post on a note of cautious optimism, writing, 'mum will be home soon and I will be happy again I'm sure,' signalling her hope for a brighter future once her mother has fully recovered.
