Gemma Collins in tears recalling ex-partner ‘attacking and robbing’ her before I’m A Celeb-Ruth Lawes-Entertainment – Metro

Gemma Collins spoke about a harrowing experience before I’m A Celeb (Picture: Daily Mail / Everything I Know About Me)

Gemma Collins was moved to tears as she recalled being ‘knocked out’ by her ex-boyfriend just hours before heading into the I’m A Celebrity jungle.

The former Towie star, 43, lasted 72 hours on the ITV reality show in 2014 before withdrawing due to suffering panic attacks and deciding it ‘wasn’t for her.’

She later said she pulled out of the competition because she had been ‘really badly’ beaten by her then-partner Alexander Moss the night before travelling to Australia. He denied the allegations.

Gemma described the harrowing experience in a new interview and said she had been ‘knocked out, attacked and robbed’ by Moss before filming I’m A Celebrity.

She said the police had been at her Essex home at 5 am – the hour before the taxi to take her to the airport had arrived.

Gemma said ITV advised her against participating in the show but she did not want to lose the opportunity.

Gemma said she was in a ‘lot of pain’ while filming the ITV show (Picture: Daily Mail / Everything I Know About Me)

She told the Everything I Know About Me podcast: ‘And I got on the plane it was so surreal and I was sat next to Laura Whitmore and I sort of had a chat with her about it and she was so kind, she was just like “Do your best, do your best”.’

Gemma continued: ‘I went into the jungle and I played it down a bit to be honest.

‘I was in a lot of pain I should have pressed charges but young, stupid obviously then I’m famous, I don’t want to bring too much attention to it.

Breaking down in tears, she said: ‘I stupidly got back with the person and yeah, I remember that being really stressful.’

Gemma withdrew from I’m A Celebrity after 72 hours (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)

In 2019, Moss was jailed after admitting to grievous bodily harm after he broke his partner’s arm.

His girlfriend, who was also left with a bloody nose and brusies, had to jump from a window to escape after he threatened to kill her.

A judge at Chelmsford Crown Court handed Moss a 21-month prison sentence and made him subject of a restraining order preventing him from contacting the victim for 21 months.

Gemma first alleged Moss had assaulted her before I’m a Celebrity in 2017 and said he beat her up from the neck down.

Gemma is now engaged to businessman Rami (Picture: Instagram)

Neighbours called the police after hearing a row between Gemma and Moss, with officers saying at the time: ‘We were called to an address in Warley near Brentwood shortly before 1.15am today following reports a woman had been assaulted.

‘Officers went to the location and the victim was assessed by ambulance paramedics but did not need hospital treatment.

‘Police inquiries into the incident are continuing, a potential suspect has been identified and is being sought by police.’

Gemma is now engaged to businessman Rami Hawash, 49, and is planning to have three wedding ceremonies.

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