‘I'd love a part in The Crown!'

Gemma Collins on her acting dreams, hitting 40 and supporting pal Billie Shepherd in Dancing On Ice

- GEMMA MCCARTNEY

It’s always a pleasure catching up with Gemma Collins. With her vibrant Essex accent and hilarious turn of phrase, she makes a fun interviewee on a dismal Thursday afternoon.

The former TOWIE star, who turns 40 in January, is in good spirits and tackles all our questions with enthusiasm, including discussing her fitness and health mission, the forthcoming series of Dancing On Ice and her career ambitions.

Questions about her love life – including her on/off relationship with James Argent – are off limits, and a few days after our interview, it’s revealed Gemma suffered a third miscarriage in July. But she’s on good form during our chat and makes the jaw-dropping admission that she dreams of starring alongside acting greats Olivia Colman and Gillian Anderson in The Crown. That takes Queen GC to a whole new level!

As well as filming her ITVBe reality show Diva Forever, Gemma has found a passion for cycling during the long months of lockdown and enthuses about riding through the streets of London. “I’ve got a love for Santander bikes,” she tells us. “It’s absolutely incredible. I absolutely love bike-riding so that’s been a positive.”

She also talks about her Hollywood dreams, being in a settled place in life and the unusual item on her Christmas list. Take it away, honey…

Hi Gemma. How are you finding Lockdown 2?