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Gemma Collins says she and 'the GC' persona are 'very different people'

Gemma Collins attends the ITV Palooza 2019 at The Royal Festival Hall on November 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Gemma Collins attends the ITV Palooza 2019 at The Royal Festival Hall on November 12, 2019 in London, England. (Photo by Lia Toby/Getty Images)

Gemma Collins has said there is a "massive" difference between herself and her “diva” persona, the GC.

The reality star has distanced her real self from her alter ego, stating it likely originated as a result of "growing a thick skin" over tabloid coverage.

In an interview with the Guardian, she said: “I try not to bring any attention to myself.

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"I like to cook, I like nature, I like to read. I do like to shop, don’t get me wrong, every now and then. I like a good day out in London, but, yeah, they are two very different people – massively.”

The former The Only Way Is Essex cast member has capitalised on that reputation, putting her name to her book The GC: How to Be a Diva as well as her own reality series, Gemma Collins: Diva Forever.

However, the 29-year-old also shared how when she visits shopping centres with her mother she's "not the GC" and while she's happy to interact with fans, it can become "scary" when some "start grabbing".

Collins’ participation in Dancing on Ice last year was the source of many headlines about the star.

While her face-plant on the ice was a much-talked about moment of the series, the conversation was mainly dominated by her frosty relationship with judge Jason Gardiner.

Gemma Collins and Matt Evers at the Dancing On Ice Launch Showcase at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink, Kensington,. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Gemma Collins and Matt Evers at the Dancing On Ice Launch Showcase at the Natural History Museum Ice Rink, Kensington,. (Photo by Keith Mayhew/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

She was dubbed a "brat" by the choreographer and she also accused him of "selling stories" about her.

Collins went on to brand the judge a "bully" after he mocked her appearance by comparing her to a fridge during an appearance on This Morning.

Gardiner did not return to the 2020 series of the skating show having been replaced on the panel by John Barrowman, with Collins describing his exit as “karma”.