Dancing on Ice contestants: Who is Gemma Collins? Meet the TOWIE star taking to the rink
The reality star has a background in figure skating. Yes, really
Dancing on Ice 2019 contestants: Gemma Collins
Age: 37
Known for: Being a TOWIE star and meme machine
Twitter: @missgemcollins
Instagram: @gemmacollins1
Professional dance partner: Matt Evers
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Why is Gemma Collins famous?
Previously known for her fiery on/off relationship with James ‘Arg’ Argent on TOWIE, Collins left the ITV2 reality show in 2014, swapping Essex for the Outback as an I’m a Celebrity contestant. However, she didn’t last long, walking out of the jungle after just three days.
Collins also competed in the second series of diving series Splash!, but was eliminated third from the contest.
And her reality repertoire doesn't stop there – she's starred in Sugar Free Farm, Celebrity MasterChef, Celebs Go Dating and 2016’s Celebrity Big Brother, where she finished seventh.
Oh, and Collins also gave us this classic moment when she fell through the stage at Radio 1's Teen Awards.
Outside of her TV work, Collins has released two books: The GC: How to Be a Diva and Basically: My Real Life as an Essex Girl.
What ice skating experience does Gemma Collins have?
Surprisingly, Collins has some background on the rink. “Do you know what? As a young girl, my brother used to play ice hockey, so I was at the ice rink a lot,” she told This Morning hosts Schofield and Willoughby after she was revealed as a contestant.
Is Gemma Collins going to quit Dancing on Ice?
Despite reports Collins threw a tantrum at training, ITV are adamant she’ll make it to the live shows.
“There is absolutely no truth in this story,” said a spokesperson for ITV when RadioTimes.com approached them for comment. “Gemma is loving being on the show and we love having her.”
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Authors
Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.