Gemma Collins reveals personal struggle with self-harm: ‘It’s something I’ve buried for 20 years’

Gemma Collins has opened up for the first time about her battle with self-harm in a teaser for a personal documentary.

The former Towie star is fronting a Channel 4 documentary about her own struggles, revealing she had kept her experience private for two decades.

The GC, 41, is the subject of Gemma Collins: Self Harm And Me in which viewers will see her confront her ‘painful past’.

In the short clip uploaded to Twitter today, which shows her in what is understood to be a therapy class, Gemma said: ‘I was getting overwhelming emotion and I couldn’t cope with it.

‘It is something that I have buried for 20 years.’

In the film, the reality star reveals her self-harm experiences to loved ones, including her mother Joan and boyfriend Rami Hawash.

In the trailer, Rami remarked: ‘I was shocked. You done something to yourself. Why did you do it?’

The GC is opening up about her experience (Picture: PA)

Having kept the details of her struggles private, Gemma is seen in tears, adding: ‘It’s not like a normal conversation you can have with someone.

‘I never told anyone, because it was shameful, I was scared.

‘I wish I was brave enough to ask for the help, I could’ve saved myself a lot of pain.’

It was previously revealed that Gemma will explore in the documentary how bullying, self-esteem issues and the impact of social media can contribute to young people starting to self-harm.

The project was announced last year, with Channel 4’s Commissioning Editor Lee Murray saying at the time: ‘Gemma Collins has taken the brave decision to open up about her own experience with self-harm.

‘As an instantly recognisable and relatable figure we applaud her courage in revealing her own struggles, and hope this film and her insight will spark vitally important conversations around young people and self-harm.’

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Gemma had never spoken before publicly about her experience but hoped by using her platform and speaking about how it affected her, she can ultimately help others, with a source previously telling The Sun: ‘This is a side to Gemma rarely seen by anyone outside of her inner circle and is deeply personal.

‘However she feels by speaking out and telling her story, she will help others to reach out and talk to someone before it’s too late.’

Gemma Collins: Self Harm And Me will air on Channel 4 and All 4 on February 16 at 9pm.

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