Charlotte Crosby grew close to Carol McGiffin in 2013 during their stint on Celebrity Big Brother and, after the former Loose Women presenter bravely revealed last week she’d been secretly battling breast cancer since April, Charlotte Crosby tells Closer she’ll be taking her for a drink as soon as she feels well enough.

CHARLOTTE CROSBY REACTS TO WEIGHT GAIN CLAIMS

Charlotte, 24, tells Closer: “I had no idea Carol was so unwell. I read about her story just as everyone else did – I burst into tears.”

Despite the 31-year age gap between the two stars, they regularly spent time together after CBB, and in December 2013, Carol, 55, Tweeted Charlotte to thank her for making her year “such a bloody laugh.” And that’s something the Geordie Shore star is keen to do again for Carol – who is now on the road to recovery after a mastectomy and chemotherapy.

Charlotte says: “Carol’s one of the strongest women I’ve ever met. We really bonded on CBB. As soon as we can, we’re going to get drunk, and I can’t wait to give her a big hug.”

Read the full chat in this week's Closer - out now

Charlotte has donated her fee for this interview to Breast Cancer Care