September 17th 2024.
Gemma Collins, the famous star from the reality show Towie, has recently shared some intriguing details about her family history. After participating in the popular BBC series Who Do You Think You Are?, she discovered a shocking revelation that she may be related to one of the most notorious serial killers in Britain's history – Jack the Ripper.
The show, which has been on air for 20 years now, has seen many celebrities like Danny Dyer and Dame Judi Dench uncover surprising facts about their ancestors. This season, viewers can look forward to seeing stars like Dame Jessica Ennis-Hill and Olly Murs take a journey into their family's past in hopes of uncovering significant discoveries.
Gemma, also known as "The GC" by her fans, was thrilled to be a part of the new season and couldn't believe it when she found out about her potential connection to Jack the Ripper. She explained that her family used to live in the same area in London where the notorious killer was active, which left her speechless.
"It's kind of crazy, isn't it? Nobody knew who Jack the Ripper was, so he could have been a part of my family," Gemma shared with The Agency. She also mentioned that her episode is definitely up there with Danny Dyer's, who discovered that he is related to William the Conqueror in an episode that won a Bafta.
While Gemma's exploration of her family's past was filled with happy and light-hearted moments, it was also an emotional journey for her and her family. She decided to focus on her maternal side, as her mother, Joan Collins, was fostered as a baby and had very little information about her birth family.
Gemma's mother found it difficult to talk about her experience being fostered, and as a result, they had never discussed it in detail before. However, during the show, they not only had some emotional moments but also made some heartwarming discoveries. Gemma described it as winning a "million-dollar ticket" when they were reunited with living relatives.
"It was the right decision for my mom to be fostered as a newborn because her birth mother was dealing with mental health issues," Gemma explained. She also shared how her grandmother was diagnosed with schizophrenia at a young age and was admitted to psychiatric hospitals twice, including shortly after her mother's birth.
While Gemma's episode was filmed over a year ago, she admits that it took her a while to process all the information she discovered about her family. She also revealed that she felt a strong connection to one of her ancestors, Thirza, and even wants to name her future child after her.
The viewers will also be surprised to learn that Gemma has a deep passion for the countryside and nature, as it runs in her blood. She mentioned that she was her true self on the show, and it was refreshing for her fans to see another side of her.
One of the most significant takeaways for Gemma from doing the show was realizing that there is more to her than just being born in a hospital in Romford. She also hopes to explore her father's side of the family in the future.
For those who are inspired to dig into their family's past after watching the show, Gemma has some advice. "It's never too late to find your family. If you have a yearning or don't understand why something happened, don't hesitate to look into it," she shared.
Gemma's episode of Who Do You Think You Are? will air on September 26 at 9 pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. If you have a celebrity story, video, or pictures, feel free to reach out to The Agency entertainment team via email, phone, or by visiting their Submit Stuff page. They would love to hear from you!
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
