Gemma Collins has made a plea to fans for support after Chicago bosses confirmed that she has quit the musical's UK tour, days before she was due to make her debut in Sunderland.
The announcement that Gemma was taking on the iconic role of Mama Morton in the show certainly caused a stir as theatre lovers, actors and fans of the ex TOWIE diva all had their say on social media. As many reacted with anger, accusing Chicago of making a 'stunt' casting, Chicago producer David Ian claimed Gemma had given a tremendous audition to land the role, but his words did little to quell the online backlash.
Gemma herself seemed very excited about her first job in theatre, just as she embarked on her one woman show across the country, but now, a week before she was set to open as Mama Morton at Sunderland Empire, it had now ben officially confirmed that she's left the show completely, due to an injury flare up. A spokesperson for Chicago told ChronicleLive: "Gemma Collins’ management have informed the producers of Chicago she will no longer be appearing in the UK Tour of the show due to a knee injury. The Producers of Chicago wish Gemma all the best for the future."
READ MORE: Gemma Collins 'quits' Chicago a week before Sunderland debut
It's been reported that Gemma's Chicago departure is down to her injury sustained from a nasty fall on Dancing on Ice back in 2019. She has failed to address any of the speculation, but did take to Instagram on Tuesday afternoon to show she was having treatment on a very swollen looking knee. And, while she hasn't spoken out on Chicago, she made a huge plea to fans for their support to help win a National Television Award after her documentary, Self Harm and made the long list of nominations for the annual evet.
Announcing her nomination on her Instagram grid, Gemma wrote: "I can’t believe my show has been put up for an award it was scary being so honest and I was so nervous about making the show however it has touched so many people in the right way please vote for me."
Gemma has made the cut in the Best Authored Documentary along with other big names like Kate Garraway, who won last year and is nominated again for follow up Caring For Derek; the late Tom Parker for his Inside My Head show, Katie Price, Ashley Banjo and Paddy and Christine McGuinness.
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