GEMMA Collins has claimed she was slapped by her make-up artist hours before flying to South Africa for All Stars as she threatened to pull out for a second time.
The former TOWIE star, is returning for the spin-off twelve years after famously quitting only two days in.
I’m A Celebrity: South Africa was filmed last year, with familiar faces coming back for a second stint.
After the show was announced by ITV today, the 45-year-old revealed she nearly pulled out of it but was put in her place by her make-up artist.
Speaking at the press launch for I’m A Celebrity All Stars series two, Gemma said: “It didn’t work out for me the first time around in there and ever since it’s been like this black cloud hanging over my head.
“Obviously I’m older now and I just thought, I have to do this. It was one regret that I had that I left.
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“I was absolutely bricking it. I was petrified. My makeup artist slapped me at Heathrow Airport because I actually said I don’t think I can actually go through with this.
“But do you know what? I took a deep breath. I went in strong. And to be honest, I think I shut it down.
“It’s not the GC in there. It’s Gemma Collins as you’ve never seen her before. You’ll see me vulnerable in there.
“I was so stripped bare going in there. And because I knew it was so disastrous the time before, I had no chance to back out of any of it.”
“The one thing that troubled me was the copious amounts of washing up,” said Gemma.
“I was on camp duty with Adam and obviously, it was a massive camp, and I’m not going to lie, I’ve got two dishwashers at home.”
Her co-star Craig Charles, who starred with her on her original series, jumped in, joking: “What’s their names?”
Gemma added: “It really grounds you again going in there. You just go back to simplicity.
“It breaks you in ways you’ve never been broken before. I left, literally, some trials broken to an inch of my life. I just can’t describe the pain I felt.”
ITV viewers will remember Gemma’s meltdown and refusal to get into a helicopter to get into camp on day one.
Who is starring on I’m A Celebrity: South Africa?
- Actor & TV presenter – Adam Thomas
- Heart radio DJ – Ashley Roberts
- TV presenter – Scarlett Moffatt
- Former champion boxer – David Haye
- Corrie icon – Beverley Callard
- Comedian – Seann Walsh
- Pop icon – Sinitta
- Olympic legend – Sir Mo Farah
- TV personality – Gemma Collins
- Actor & DJ – Craig Charles
- Ex footballer – Jimmy Bullard
- Football manager – Harry Redknapp
She was then forced to make her own way to camp, but things went from bad to worse.
After struggling with camp life and the food rations, she sensationally quit the series on day two.
Gemma is making her television comeback after having last appeared on our screens in 2023.
She’s provided us with plenty of entertainment over the years, with her appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing On Ice.
The first South Africa series aired in 2023 and saw series 6 runner-up Myleene Klass crowned winner after a triumphant win in the final survival trial.
She was joined on the show by returning stars including Joe Swash, Jordan Banjo, Amir Khan and Carol Vorderman.
I’m A Celebrity: South Africa starts on April 6 on ITV and ITVX
