Gemma Collins has announced she will be starring in a UK tour of Chicago
(Picture: Instagram/Gemma Collins)Gemma Collins has announced that she is set to star in a UK tour of hit musical Chicago.
The former Towie star, 41, who refers to herself as “The GC,” will take on the role of prison matron Mama Morton from May 31 at the Sunderland Empire before taking in dates in Cardiff, Blackpool, Sheffield, Norwich and Oxford.
Collins has big boots to fill as the role was infamously played by none other than Queen Latifah in the 2002 Oscar-winning movie adaptation.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Collins posted a black and white photo with two men behind her holding up newspapers with the headlines “Gemma Rocks Chicago” and “The Only Way Is Chicago,” in a nod to her reality TV star beginnings.
In the accompanying caption, the former Celebs Go Dating star wrote: “It’s official! I’m gonna be joining @chicagoonstage playing Matron ‘Mama’ Morton from Tues 31st May 2022!”
Adding: “I’m so excited”.
While the official Chicago Twitter account tweeted: “The one and only @missgemcollins is about to bring the razzle dazzle to the #ChicagoUKTour as she joins our company as ‘Mama’ Morton.”
The cast also includes Faye Brookes, Djalenga Scott, Jamie Baughan and B E Wong.
Producer David Ian told The Independent: “We were completely stunned by Gemma’s audition for the role. She’s an undeniable force both on and off stage, and we can’t wait to see her portrayal of Mama Morton on tour.
“Audiences across the country are in for a treat,” he added.
For those wondering if Collins can actually sing, she previously showed off her vocal abilities when belting out a rendition of Shirley Bassey’s Big Spender during a 2018 celebrity special of the BBC music competition show All Together Now.
She also looked to launch a pop career in that same year, but it never quite got off the ground after releasing debut track It’s The GC penned by Tallia Storm.
