Gemma Collins has finally spoken out following claims she’s been acting like a ‘diva’ backstage at Dancing On Ice.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the former TOWIE star was threatening to quit the ITV show after facing criticism from presenters Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield about her lack of professionalism.
It was later claimed that Gemma, 37, was refusing to be filmed during rehearsals and even throwing the camera crew off the ice.
On Wednesday, Gemma took to Instagram to admit she was left “devastated” by the “hurtful” reports and insisted they are not true.
Read more: Matt Evers explains claims Gemma Collins delayed DOI rehearsals because she was napping
In a string of videos shared to her Instagram stories, Gemma said: “Good morning everyone. So sorry for my eyes looking so heavy. Obviously I’ve been really devastated by all the hurtful press reports this week, which haven’t been true.
“But I’m not giving up, I’m not quitting. I’m here with the team.
“I’ve got the shakes where I’ve been so upset. Please don’t believe what’s been put out there. Do I want to quit? Yes but I’m not gonna. It’s really got me down this week but I hope you love Sunday’s routine.”
Speaking to the cameramen, Gemma poked fun at the reports asking: “Did I tell you at any point to get your cameras off the ice?”
One of the men replied: “No, we’re always here, always filming. Not us anyway.”
Gemma added to the camera: “I know people say I’m a diva but it’s a bit of a laugh, it’s not actually true.”
She then jokingly shouted to the crew: “Get off the ice!”
She said: “The reason I haven’t been on social media before talking about this, me and Matt [Evers] have been so upset. We were shell-shocked, we didn’t know what to do, we were heartbroken.”
Read more: Holly Willoughby hits out at Gemma Collins over ‘diva’ antics on DOI
On Wednesday morning, Gemma’s professional skating partner Matt defended her after she was accused of being late for a dress rehearsal because she was “having a nap”.
Phoning into Lorraine, Matt explained: “She did not have a nap.
“We weren’t performing a competition number this Sunday, we just had the group number, and after the group number she thought she was free to go.
“That was just a miscommunication between stage management, her and everything. She got a text from her car that had said your car has arrived, and she asked somebody – whom I’m not sure – and they were like, ‘Yeah, you’re finished.'”
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