GEMMA COLLINS ANNOUNCES DEATH OF MOTHER JOAN AGED 70

Gemma Collins has announced the death of her mother Joan aged 70. The former The Only Way Is Essex cast member shared the news on Instagram in an emotional statement on 29 July. Collins wrote that her heart was "shattered into a million pieces" and that Joan had "passed away peacefully surrounded by love".

In her statement, Collins thanked her mother for "loving me, guiding me, and being my mum" and described how her mother's presence permeated her life. She wrote of missing her mother's "voice, your smile, your little ways" and expressed hope that Joan was now free from pain. According to one report, Joan had been rushed to hospital with pneumonia approximately one month before her death.

Collins's former co-stars from The Only Way Is Essex responded with messages of condolence. Megan McKenna commented that her "heart breaks" for Collins, while Billie Shepherd sent "so much love" and said Joan would "be forever proud". Joan had appeared on the show alongside her daughter on a number of occasions.