BBC denies Gemma Collins has been handed 'compensation role' in Celeb MasterChef

The BBC have described that any celeb – including TOWIE’s Gemma Collins – would be handed a slot on any of their shows as ‘nonsense’, after it was claimed the reality star was given a ‘compensation role’ on upcoming Celebrity MasterChef.

Gemma, 37, is working her way through the long list of reality TV, and this time it’s allegedly with BBC’s MasterChef after her fall at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards last year.

After appearing on the likes of I’m A Celeb, Celeb Big Brother, and most recently Celebs Go Dating, the star has now turned her head to culinary creation, if reports are to be believed, as a form of ‘compensation’ for her injury.

The Sun say the Essex diva was left injured after her spectacular fall during the Teen Awards in 2017, and planned to take legal action: ‘I’ve got to consult a lawyer, yeah. The BBC, they’ve not been in touch with any compensation or anything – or even an apology,’ she revealed the day after.

A source claimed that Gemma would accept an ‘apology’ role in an upcoming reality show: ‘Initially, she was determined that only Strictly Come Dancing would do, but she’s excited about the prospect of MasterChef and it has very much cooled the tension.’

However, an official BBC statement told Yahoo Celeb that this simply isn’t true. ‘It is nonsense to suggest that the Celebrity MasterChef line up is chosen for any other reason than individuals’ suitability as contestants and with our audience in mind. We look forward to announcing this year’s line-up, which we know viewers will love.’

The Teen Awards accident occurred as she turned round on the stage to present the Best TV Show award to Love Island’s Amber Davies, Jamie Jewitt and Marcel Somerville. She fell down the secret lift as the trio emerged from beneath the stage, causing the audience to gasp.

Speaking in the aftermath, she said: ‘I am overwhelmed by everyone’s support but if we just take a minute and watch that clip back it could have been the end of The GC. I can’t back down from it.’

‘I’m in pain this morning I’m not going to lie. It could have been fatal,’ she claimed, speaking the day after the event.

‘Under there was all machinery going on. I’ve got to apologise to the Love Island guys because I wiped them out,’ she said.

‘All will be forgiven with the BBC if they give me a slot on Strictly next year, then I’ll let bygones be bygones.’

Whether or not she was serious about striking a deal is unclear, but it appears there was some bad blood after the accident.

Contrary to the BBC’s statement, the TV source also told the paper: ‘After the incident it didn’t look as though Gemma would ever work with the BBC again, but there has been some peace-making behind the scenes.

‘Everyone is looking forward to having her on [MasterChef]. She’s a great character and popular with viewers – she’ll bring something very different to the series.’

So it seems that despite not getting a coveted place on Strictly, the telly star has settled for a spot on the upcoming Celebrity MasterChef – if rumours are to be believed.

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