A hit clothing range, a new man – TOWIE’s Gemma has it all.

Last year, 31 year old Gemma Collins very publicly lost 3st only to regain most of it again, attracting some very cruel headlines in the process. Never one to hold back, Gemma has lots to say on the subject.

Gemma’s own plus-size collection launches next month. She told heat: “It’s been amazing. I’ve been working on the line since September. It was either lose weight to get into high-street sizes, and be a bit miserable, or stay as I am and create something for myself and other women like me.”

Asked about the negative press she attracts due to her size, Gemma says: “I try not to get caught
up in that. I follow the Buddhist thing that if people write bad things about you, forgive them, because they have to live with themselves saying that. If you want to say I’m fat, ugly and look like a whale, what sort of person are you?”

She reveals: “I went down to a 14. But was I happy at the end of it? No. It zapped the personality out of me. I’d be worrying about whether to have a drink or not when I went on a night out with friends. I’m, like, a 16 now. I’ll always be on some sort of diet, because I’ve got no willpower. If you rang me up tonight and said, “Gem, let’s go out for dinner,” I’m not going to sit there and eat a chicken salad. I do like the odd Maccy D’s and Chinese and Indian, and if I could eat a ham sandwich with Anchor butter every day then I would – but I train four times a week now.”

“Why do I want to become a diet bore? For me, it’s not about getting stick-thin, it’s about feeling happy in myself. I wasn’t happy when I lost weight. Likewise, I’d never want to balloon to the point where it’s unhealthy. I love my body and I’m trying to look after it the best I can.”

Speaking about her boyfriend Charlie, Gemma says: “It’s early days. Am I going to marry Charlie? How can I answer that? I’m just happy as I am and love has come along when I least expect it.”

“He’s lovely and it’s lovely to be with someone who sends me lovely texts, takes me to dinner and pays the bills. That’s all I need at the moment – Charlie is good therapy for me.”

She adds: “I could write a book on some of the things that have happened to me in past relationships. I’ve been very, very hurt and it really knocked my confidence. I tread very carefully now. I am naturally a very giving person, and once you’ve had your heart stamped all over, unfortunately, it does ruin you for the next relationship, because you’re thinking, “What’s he doing?” and want to check up on him.”

Asked about the rumour that Charlie might be gay, Gemma insisted: “He’s definitely not gay.
I don’t know where all that crap came from. Nor did I worry he was only after me because of TOWIE. He’s a decent person. Otherwise I wouldn’t have pursued it.”

“I think I’m a bit of a prude. I was so embarrassed posing with those models. I’ve never had a one-night stand. I would never pee in front of a bloke or pass wind. I’ve only ever slept with three people in my life and they’ve been boyfriends.”

“I just think when you sleep with someone it’s very personal – you can’t go back. It’s a relationship then, it’s serious.”

The full interview appears in this week’s heat magazine, on sale now (Tuesday).