Gemma Collins breaks down in tears as she threatens to quit I’m A Celeb

TOWIE’s Gemma Collins broke down in tears in I’m A Celebrity… South Africa as she was on the verge of quitting.

Gemma only lasted three days in the jungle back in 2014 (Image: ITV)

Gemma Collins came within seconds of quitting I’m A Celebrity… South Africa, after breaking down in floods of tears.

The Towie icon, 45, has experienced several emotional moments in the jungle, having returned to tackle more of Ant and Dec’s infamous bushtucker trials following her unforgettable three-day appearance back in 2014.

Despite surviving considerably longer than her first stint, Gemma was on the verge of walking out in tonight’s episode, declaring, ‘I’m done’.

The GC joins a stellar cast including Scarlett Moffatt, Adam Thomas, Harry Redknapp, Ashley Roberts, Beverley Callard, and Sir Mo Farah, with David Haye, Sinitta, Craig Charles, and Jimmy Bullard rounding out the line-up, alongside Seann Walsh, who became the first celebrity to be eliminated.

Gemma was on the brink of becoming the second star to depart this series when she dissolved into tears at the mere prospect of facing another gruelling trial, reports Wales Online.

Gemma was moments from quitting I’m A Celebrity(Image: ITV)

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Believing the entire camp was about to be subjected to a challenge dubbed ‘Prison of Hell’, involving an assortment of creepy crawlies, including rats and snakes, Gemma cried out: “I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!”

“I’m done,” she said. “I can’t do any more. I can’t go through any more.”

As her fellow campmates rallied around her with words of encouragement, she tearfully continued: “I’ve done so much, I’ve been through so much, I can’t go in a prison. I just can’t do any more, guys.”

Viewers shared their concern after Gemma’s comments(Image: INSTAGRAM/imacelebrity)

Fortunately for Gemma, she needn’t have worried, as Harry subsequently revealed he had been winding up the entire camp. As they responded to his joke, she said: “For me, that’s claustrophobic, I would just have to say them fateful words!”

Viewers were left concerned, with one sharing on X: “I was so worried Gemma was gonna leave for a sec, she can’t leave yet.”

“I hope they don’t use Gemma as a cop out vote off decision, she’s got so much value in there and deserves to get further,” another said, as another laughed: “HARRY, THAT’S NOT FUNNY I THOUGHT WE WERE ABOUT TO LOSE AR GEMMA.”

Gemma has already lasted more than her three-day stint in 2014(Image: ITV/Shutterstock)

This comes after Gemma wept over washing up in last night’s programme, while she spoke to Adam as they completed their chore.

The pair had been talking about burnt food and carcinogenic risks, as Gemma began: “You shouldn’t eat burnt food, honestly, it’s making me feel so ill, even the smell of that.”

Breaking down into tears, she then said: “It’s been a difficult day, I don’t know why, and obviously I’ve got close with Adam, I just had to break down and let it all out.”

She added that she did feel good in herself “mentally”, but needed to let it all out.

“It’s just I can’t wash properly, I can’t have anything nice, I’ve got to wash up every five f**king minutes… I’m not used to this, I’m so not used to this, it’s not f**king me.”

Gemma was left in tears(Image: ITV)

When Adam tried to tell her it was all part of “character building,” she replied: “How’s washing up building my character? I just feel like a downtrodden person right now.”

Things only got worse for Gemma, as she was later forced to endure a nighttime trial with Scarlett, and despite facing critters, crocs, and coal, she came back defeated.

She later sobbed: “I feel like you’re trying to kill me, you’re going to kill me, it’s not even funny.

“I feel like you’re definitely trying to kill me.”

I’m A Celebrity airs weeknights at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX.