She’s our favourite TOWIE character and former Closer columnist so we couldn’t wait to meet Gemma Collins for our racy shoot last week.
And Gemma didn’t disappoint. “Get ready Closer for the GC,” the TOWIE star shouted from the top of the stairs when we first walked into the location house in North London.
Walking around the decadent house, Gemma said: “I love bling houses like this but my new pad in Essex is going to be even bigger – it’ll be all pink and leopard, like a homage to Barbara Cartland!”
Sitting down upstairs to have her slap done, Gemma introduces me to her pal and make-up artist to the stars Mikey Phillips as she tells me to sit on her slap to pose for some selfies.
Mikey, who also works with Binky Felstead, Rochelle Humes, Vicky Pattison and Amy Childs to name a few, is also seen on ITV's This Morning and regularly on QVC says: “I love working Gemma, she’s always so bubbly on shoots and we have a right old laugh. We are both Aquarius and understand where each other is coming from.”
On the shoot Mikey (@makeupbymikey) uses make-up from Iconic London Contour Palette to contour Gemma’s pretty features, Delilah Cosmetics eye shadows and Eylure lashes to make GC's eyes pop! I’m most impressed with the hair piece from Flip In Hair that Mikey uses to add volume and texture to Gemma's luscious locks. Unlike traditional hair extensions it’s on a wire and is damage free.
And although Gemma cut a sad figure in tears when she left the I’m A Celeb jungle in November, she’s on cracking form as we sit down to chat, wearing a floral jumpsuit from her own Evans collection.
In fact she says she’s even considering a career in the West End after prancing around the shoot in a cashmere cardigan and a pair of pants.
After a rendition of Evita, she tells me: “I feel like this is the start of a new year for me. I’ve been through my dark days and now I’m more confident than ever. I want to lose three stone, get my body under control and then my perfect prince will turn up for sure.
After a couple of croissants for breakfast, it’s time to pose up in the living room.
Seductively posing in her pink jumper, Gemma, who recently had a £2k op to get a designer vagina, jokes: “Look at me smouldering! I’m glad I’ve now got my sexy designer vagina – I’ll be saving it for Mr Right now.”
In the garden, Gemma smells the flowers and tells us how proud she is that Lauren Goodger has maintained her recent weight loss.
“Lauren’s an inspiration,” says Gemma. “She’s had all that shit about Mark Wright and now she’s totally loved up and looking amazing. I’m predicting she’ll be married to her man Jake McLean by the end of the year.”
As the clock strikes 1, the TOWIE star decides it’s off to Cooke’s pie and mash shop on Broadway Market.
And it’s not long before Gemma is chatting up the owner Bob.
“I bet you’ve handled a lot of slippery eels in your time,” laughs Gemma, as we settle down to eat the pies swimming in eel liquor.
Gemma adds: “I always eat my pie and mash before I go on a weight loss stint. I’m hoping to lose three stone in the next few months.”
After the pies, Gemma flies off in a cab to check out how her new four-bedroom new-build pad in Essex in getting on. What a lady – can’t wait until the next shoot!
Find me on Twitter @misskbanks