Reality television star Gemma Collins has definitively confirmed she is putting down roots in her native Essex, scotching rumours of a potential relocation to Dubai. The 40-year-old personality made the announcement while revealing a substantial £1.8 million payday that is facilitating the purchase of a new property in the area.
A Harassing Ordeal and Rumoured Escape
The decision to remain in Essex comes after a deeply troubling period for the star. Last year, as exclusively revealed by the Daily Mail, Collins became the target of multiple death threats. She described how 'scary' individuals appeared at her Essex boutique and sent terrifying letters directly to her home.
This distressing experience led to speculation earlier this month that she and her fiancé, Rami Hawash, were seeking a fresh start in the United Arab Emirates. The couple, who often holiday in Dubai with Rami's seven-year-old son, Tristan, had reportedly considered the country a 'perfect location' to expand their family.
Roots Reaffirmed in Essex
However, Collins has now firmly closed the door on those rumours. In a recent statement, she declared, 'I've earned £1.8million and I'm in the process of buying a new house at the minute, I'm not saying exactly where.' She did acknowledge challenges in the property market, noting, 'Nothing is selling at the moment because of the Budget but hopefully now things will start moving, but I am staying in Essex.'
During a candid interview on the 'Everything I Know About Me' podcast, the TOWIE star elaborated on the profound impact of the stalking incident, confessing it had 'played havoc on her mind'. It was the primary reason she stepped back from front-of-house duties at her Brentwood boutique.
'No one would believe the bl**dy crap I've had to deal with,' Collins revealed. 'I've had a woman stalker that wrote me a letter in white gloves and wanted to kill me. You know, people would wish me dead. I'd get all sorts turn up at the shop. Weird. People are weird. And that's why in a way I came away from my shop in the end.'
Although she contacted the police, Collins admitted she only began to feel truly secure after ramping up her personal security measures.
Family and Health Take Priority
Beyond her property plans, Collins's focus is firmly on family. She told The Sun that her sole Christmas wish is for her 70-year-old mother, Joan, to return home from hospital, where she is being treated for pneumonia.
'[My mother is] my best friend and lives with me,' she shared. 'I'm not bothered about money. It helps, but nothing else matters when you've got a loved one who is ill.'
This family health crisis has taken a significant toll on the star's own mental health. In a recent, seemingly festive Instagram post, Collins confessed to her followers that behind the glamour, she has been 'broken inside' for the last three weeks.
Her message read: 'SOS. Behind the glam of this picture the last three weeks I have been broken inside and so low I can't tell you... with mum being in hospital I've not been able to cope recently everything is too much even getting dressed daily.'
She has since shared a more hopeful update, posting a photo of her mother smiling in a hospital bed and stating that Joan is 'slowly on the mend', crediting the 'incredible doctors and physios' at Broomfield Hospital.
