Gemma Collins is undoubtedly the most successful TOWIE alumni following her stint on the ITVBe show, and arguably one of Britain's biggest reality TV stars of all-time.
As the Essex-based series returns for a new series - yet again without The GC making a cameo - it's clear to see how far Gemma has moved on from the reality TV show, following her final appearance in the Christmas special in 2019.
Gemma - who 'quietly became a millionaire' during lockdown - was once best known for her stint on the BAFTA-winning series and often enjoyed romances with her co-stars, including ex James Argent.
The former couple famously dated on and off for many years after meeting on the set of the reality TV show all the way back in 2011 - with their fiery relationship often at the centre of many TOWIE storylines.
During one of their splits in 2019, Gemma was reportedly the victim of the nasty side of the 33-year-old, with the budding singer allegedly subjected the blonde beauty to a stream of insulting text messages targeting her weight.
Gemma shared the text message exchanges to her Instagram Stories in 2020 in which her former boyfriend could be seen comparing her to a hippo alongside other cruel comments, but swiftly deleted the revealing post.
In a row over Arg taking another woman to dinner, the shocking texts began with Gemma saying: "What man pays for another woman!"
An exchange continued and Arg cruelly hit back with: "You are supposed to be treating me you hippo."
Gemma seemingly called it quits with the TOWIE star for good and the pair have never reunited following the brutal text messages.
Thankfully, Gemma has since found The One in the former of former fiance, Rami Hawash - with the reunited love birds keen to start a family together soon.
Earlier this week, The GC paid tribute to her future husband on his birthday with a super cute loved-up post and expressed her desire to start a family with the dad-of-one in the very near future.
Gemma - who has been open about her longing to become a mother - thanked Rami for keeping her grounded, and looked back on the Essex businessman telling her she was destined become a star before finding fame and fortune.
Sharing a snap of herself and Rami with her 2.2million followers on Wednesday, the former TOWIE star began saying: "Happy birthday DADDY to my LOVE @rami_hawash_ may you continue to be successful happy kind and our daddy of the family you bring me normality peace and keep me grounded …"
She continued to say: "I love you and thank you for watering my plants this is everything to me he he xx happy birthday @rami_hawash_ and years ago you told me gemma your going to make it and give me money when I needed it …
"I will never forget it please god you will bless us with a child one day."
Gemma has previously spoken about her efforts to become a mother over recent years, after reuniting with her on-off partner for good in 2020.
Rami is a father to son Tristan from a previous relationship, but Gemma hasn't yet given birth to a child - previously having endured heartbreaking miscarriages in the past.
The reality TV star has made no secret of her desire to fall pregnant - telling the Mirror last year she was "planning to have a baby at some point" - and has since admitted she's considering IVF.
"I really want a baby now, I’ve not been using any contraception," she explained on her podcast series in October 2021.
"I can’t get pregnant so I’m gonna have to be brave now and look into this myself. It feels like sometimes – when’s it gonna happen? Why me?"
Gemma and Rami have enjoyed an on-off relationship over the last 10 years - even almost getting married in 2013 - and seemingly rekindled their romance during lockdown in 2020 following her final split from Arg.
Speaking the the Mirror in 2021, the Essex icon couldn't resist gushing about their reunion, saying: "This person I’m with absolutely adores me and never puts me down - he doesn't speak bad to me. I'm his Queen and we're very happy.
"Obviously we're 10 years older now but we've got such a respectful relationship. He adores every part of me, and more importantly, he respects me a lot. I wouldn't be wish him if he didn't. I'm in a very, very happy relationship."
Gemma even went on to reveal how she and Rami had no issues picking things back up in the bedroom department - boasting how their passion for one another was still as strong as when they first met.
"Me and Ram, at the end of the day, that fire, that passion - it's always been there," she told us when chatting amid her partnership with condom brand Durex.
"I'm ready to go all the time," she told us when we ask whether she's a 'morning' or 'night' person when it comes to sex. "I've got plenty of energy. I'm good to go whenever the mood takes."
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