Gemma Collins has revealed she took her mother Joan on a Christmas trip to London just days before she became ‘extremely unwell’ with COVID-19.
The TOWIE star, 39, revealed last week she and Joan headed into the capital for a festive outing as they’ve done for many years, adding she was glad they could have their ‘special little Christmas together.’
Gemma’s comments resurfaced just hours after the star revealed both her mum and dad Alan had tested positive for coronavirus.
Festive break: Gemma Collins has revealed she took her mother Joan on a Christmas trip to London just days before she became ‘extremely unwell’ with COVID-19
Speaking in her podcast Gemma said she and her mum were determined to continue with their Christmas tradition by travelling to London.
She said: ‘I love Christmas but this year, leading up to Christmas is always going to be a little bit different because of the pandemic.
‘So I took my mum to London because we always used to go to London on the 22nd, 23rd, and 24th and we’d drive home on Christmas Eve.’
‘I managed to do that earlier with her and it’s a lovely feeling as when I left London I already felt like I’d had my own Christmas. Me and my mum had our special little Christmas together.’
Worrying: The TOWIE star revealed last week she and Joan headed into the capital for a festive outing as they’ve done for many years before she fell ill with the deadly virus
Gemma didn’t specify when exactly the trip took place, but the episode of her podcast was uploaded last week.
On Tuesday Gemma took to Instagram to reveal she was heartbroken after witnessing parents Alan and Joan – who are both in their 60s – struggle with the impact of COVID-19.
She also urged followers to stay safe and heed all necessary guidelines as huge swathes of England adapts to tighter Tier 4 restrictions in the ongoing fight against the novel coronavirus.
Devastating: On Tuesday Gemma Collins revealed her parents Alan and Joan are ‘extremely unwell’ after both tested positive for COVID-19
Sharing an image of her mother and father, she wrote: ‘Please please please take notice of the guidelines ! Both my parents are extremely unwell with Covid 19 !
‘Seeing my dad cry which he never does ! Was a shock and say he would rather be dead then experience everything he is going through right now… this has totally wiped him out and it’s heartbreaking… my mum also is extremely extremely unwell with Covid also, this is real !
‘And please please take notice and keep your loved ones SAFE… it really is petrifying. what a difference a year makes ….’
Emotional: Addressing Instagram followers on Tuesday, the TV personality admitted she was heartbroken after witnessing parents Alan and Joan struggle with the impact of the respiratory illness
Outpouring: The post prompted a wave of supportive responses, with fans wishing Alan and Joan a speedy recovery from the highly infectious virus
The post prompted a wave of supportive responses, with fans wishing Alan and Joan a speedy recovery from the highly infectious virus.
‘Sorry to hear this Gem, I hope your mum and dad recover quickly. Sending lots of love,’ wrote one.
While a second concerned follower posted: ‘Hope they’re ok and they get well v soon.’
A third added: ‘Sending lots of love and healing to your Mum and Dad.’
Echoing the thoughts of many, a fourth wrote: ‘Sending love and prayers.’
Traumatic: The post comes after Gemma revealed mum Joan has been rushed to hospital with pneumonia in March, shortly before Britain’s first national lockdown
The post comes after Gemma revealed mum Joan had been rushed to hospital with pneumonia in March, shortly before Britain’s first national lockdown.
The Only Way Is Essex star shared a snap of her mum’s hand attached to a drip while praising NHS nurses for taking care of her.
Gemma also revealed that Joan has been at higher risk of contracting an infection as she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis.
The TV personalty previously spoke about her mum’s health struggles after Joan was also hospitalised with pneumonia in 2019.
Support: The Only Way Is Essex star shared a snap of her mum’s hand attached to a drip while praising NHS nurses for taking care of her
She described her mum’s health battle as ‘two years of hell,’ telling The Sun: ‘I always tried to be really strong, so when I was with her I was happy, upbeat, like ”Come on mum, you’re gonna be alright!”
‘Then I’d leave the house, get in my car and cry for hours.
‘I used to ring my friends and say ‘I just don’t know what I can do to help my mum,’ it was the worst thing.’
MailOnline has contacted a representative for further comment.
Worries: The TV personalty previously spoke about her mum’s health struggles after Joan was also hospitalised with pneumonia in 2019