Larger than life star Gemma Collins opens up on the latest on her weightloss journey, wedding plans with fiance Rami and why she’s ready to give people ‘her authentic self’

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Gemma spills the beans on her wedding plans with Rami(Image: Getty Images for Thirty8 London)

Gemma Collins may be known for her extravagant persona, but it’s clear the former TOWIE favourite has mellowed in recent years. A far cry from the outlandish glamour of ‘The GC’, a beaming Gemma tells OK! exclusively that, these days, she’s much more focused on cherishing the little things in life.

As she chats to new on a video call from her sprawling Essex garden, the 44-year-old also shares an update on how she has achieved her slimmed-down figure, after starting weight-loss injections about a year ago. Gemma, engaged to Rami Hawash, 50, since February 2024, already describes herself as stepmum to his son Tristan, seven. Here, she reveals her plans for their 2026 wedding and why she could be spending Christmas with celeb pal Coleen Rooney…

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Gemma admits she’ll hire a wedding planner to organise every detail of her big day(Image: Instagram)

Gemma, you look amazing – how’s the weight-loss going?

I’ve actually just lost another stone and four pounds. I feel really good. I’ve been upping my exercise a lot and it’s just a continual journey, isn’t it? I don’t focus on it too much though. I love myself as I am – you’ve got to be kind to yourself. It’s just about constantly remembering to make those right choices and be mindful. I don’t put pressure on myself. It didn’t take you five minutes to gain it and it’s not going to take you five minutes to lose it.

You seem very relaxed these days. Do you think you’ve found more balance in life?

Yes, I can mix career and family these days. I’ve just enjoyed being a stepmum and a normal girl for a bit, because I hadn’t had that for so many years. Everything has come full circle now. I held off having a family for so many years because I was so career-focused. Then the family came along and I have Rami now. It’s life experience and my life has taken me on that natural path. Now I’m ready to come back and I can combine the family version of myself and the career version to give people the real authentic me, not someone who is fake.

Speaking of Rami, are you wedding planning yet?

Oh honey, that’ll be happening in 2026. I’ll have a wedding planner. They’ll take care of it. I’ll just say, “Yes, no, yes, no, yes, no.” That’s it. But I’m really excited, of course I am.

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Gemma loves country life as a stepmum to Rami’s son(Image: Instagram)

Will we see you back on television again soon?

Yes! I’ve just done two major TV shows this year, which will air next year. So I’m already back in a huge way. I’ve already smashed out next year. I’m a year ahead – currently I’m in 2027. I’m lucky that I can pick and choose what I want to do now. I will only do shows where I think it will be fun and people get the best of me.

Is there any show you would never do?

I wouldn’t do Celebrity: SAS Who Dares Wins – hell no! They wouldn’t get The GC near that. I think people forget my age – I’m nearly 45 now, hon. I need an English breakfast tea and my country walks, not pretending I’m in the army! The Traitors called me about a year-and-a-half ago and I didn’t do it, but I’d maybe do that one. It better be warm in that castle though.

What about TOWIE – would you ever return?

Oh, they ring me all the time. Look, I’m very fond of the show and it’s what made me. It’s the show that got me my beautiful home, but we do all move on in life. And I have moved on.

You’re working with Paddy Power for its new advert…

Oh, it’s all about glamour and being loud and proud. I’ve always loved Paddy Power because the games are all so fun – and I’m really lucky, especially on roulette. I’m in the advert with Peter Crouch, Coleen Rooney and Danny Dyer, so we had a blast. It’s all about having fun with your friends. A lot of people do their gaming alone, but you don’t need to do it alone. Make it super fun. I’m going to have a Paddy Power casino evening at my house with a poker table, fake money, the lot!

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Gemma is hoping after her Paddy Power collab to get an invite to the Rooneys’(Image: PR Supplied)

You always go big for the festive season – what are your Christmas plans?

Christmas is always huge in my house. But, funnily enough, I don’t know what I’m doing for it this year. Rami says he wants to go away, but now I’m such good mates with Coleen Rooney, Danny Dyer and Peter Crouch, let’s see if we can get an invite to one of theirs. I bet they have a really fancy Christmas at the Rooneys! For me, it’s who you’re with. Christmas ain’t about the best champagne and dinners, it’s about being with the people who you have the most fun with.

Does having children around now make it more special?

Oh definitely. My stepson, Tristan, is coming up for eight now so he keeps asking if Father Christmas is real. I’m telling him, “Of course he is.” I’m taking him to Lapland this year to prove it. And I’ve got two older nephews who I’m trying to keep young for as long as possible. I’ve got a new baby nephew too, so I’ll get to enjoy it all with him. It’s the kids that make it for me. But it’s Christmas every Sunday at my house because I do a big dinner for all of the family. It’s all about who you spend it with. We live in a world now where everything is so accessible and everyone has everything they want, so it’s about quality time.