Gemma Collins’ friends beg her to stay in the jungle after I’m A Celebrity meltdown

Gemma Collins is used to the nicer things in life – you might find her in the Sugar Hut sipping on a glass of champagne or getting her nails done down on Brentwood high street.

So it didn’t come as that much of a surprise when she struggled before she even entered the I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! jungle on Sunday night.

The Only Ways Is Essex star screamed and cried her eyes out in terror as she sat in the helicopter which was due to take her team into camp before it even took off and had to be driven in by car instead.

But, while she was possibly the most entertaining campmate of the group, friends are begging her to stay after she broke down over what she still has to come.

She's also suffering after her ex-boyfriend Alex Moss allegedly beat her up at her home last week.

Gemma’s best friend Alana Kane told The Sun: “Gemma’s been through a lot and she’s emotional at the moment.

“I didn’t really know him but he made Gem happy and so the whole thing is upsetting.

“Her mum has been really ill too and they’re so close, so that’s been hard. She’s had her heart broken and her time away from it all will help.”

Gemma was the subject of cruel comments on Twitter last night with many people taunting her for her weight.

But, luckily, the reality star, who is expected to do a Bushtucker Trial at the first opportunity to the voting public, didn’t see the messages as she doesn’t have access to social media.

The TOWIE star has a fan in the form of former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts who was runner-up on the show in 2012.

Speaking on ITV2 spin-off show I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here Now!, she said: “I think Gemma will be quite entertaining during a trial. She seems at first glance to be quite girly and not want to get too dirty.”

Don’t leave, Gem! You were amazing!** **

GALLERY: I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! 2014 official line-up pictures