Who are Gemma Collins’ parents Joan and Alan?
THE 'GC' shows a different side to her as she opens up to her parents in her new Channel 4 documentary, Self-Harm and Me, about her long battle with mental health.
We take a further look at who her parents are and their relationship with Gemma.
Who is Gemma Collins' mum Joan?
Joan Collins, 66, is Gemma Collins' mother.
She doesn't strictly work in showbiz and keeps out of the spotlight, though she did join The Only Way Is Essex in the fifth season which aired in 2012.
In March 2020 she was rushed to hospital with pneumonia and it was reported that she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.
Gemma praised NHS staff for their work at this time.
Even before this, Gemma had spoken about her mother's health issues.
Who is Gemma Collins' dad Alan?
Alan Collins is Gemma's dad.
Following his Covid-19 diagnosis, Gemma pleaded with her fans to stay at home and keep adhering to the rules.
She told the media that he said he would "rather be dead" than fight the virus.
Speaking to , Gemma revealed that her dad keeps tabs of her money and if she wants to splash out it has to go past him first.
She has also revealed that when she was little, Alan used to take her on fishing trips.
What has Gemma said about her parents?
Gemma spoke out about the condition of her parents in her BBC podcast, The Gemma Collins Podcast.
She said: "It has been just the most awful Christmas and New Year for me. I am not going to dwell on it.
"Both of my parents have had Covid. My dad is still in hospital now. He’s literally been fighting for his life.
"It has been one awful time of it but I’m so happy to be back chatting with you all."
She added: "I am finding myself juggling so many plates at the minute. It’s been a real shock to myself and my family with my dad being in hospital.
"He’s the one who kind of looks after us all and has always been the strong one in the family. It is all on me.
"I don’t mind because things don’t always go to plan in life. I hope you are all staying safe as much as you can.
"It’s not been a great Christmas or New Year, roll on next Christmas and next New Year.
"I am just going to forget about last year, it has not been good.
"I’ve had to be a superhero with two parents in hospital with two businesses and a TV career and a dog.
"There is so much. You don’t realise how much has to get done."
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Have Joan and Alan Collins appeared on TV with Gemma?
Although Joan and Alan tend to keep out of the spotlight when it comes to Gemma, both appeared on her reality TV series, Gemma Collins: Diva Forever.
The ITV series follows the 'GC' on her success on Dancing on Ice and with her stardom rising by the day, it follows Gemma in one of the busiest periods of her professional life so far.
The series first aired in 2019 and concluded November 2020.
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Her parents also appeared in her new Channel 4 documentary, Self-Harm and Me, where she opens up about her long battle with it.