Gemma Collins reportedly can't stop crying, after being forced to pull out of the West End smash-hit Chicago.
The former TOWIE star, 41, had been starring as Matron 'Mama' Morton in the iconic musical, but friends are saying her time in the show is over, thanks to an injury.
According to The Sun, the reality TV star has been advised by medical professionals to quit the show, following the star's 2019 knee injury from Dancing on Ice flaring up once again.
Gemma had been due to make her big debut at the Sunderland Empire Theatre on May 31, before going on to enjoy a weeks-long run in the musical.
"Gemma is absolutely gutted she’s had to pull out of Chicago," a friend of the star has told The Sun.
"She has been in floods of tears and is inconsolable."
The insider went on to add that the star knew her knee wouldn't be able to cope with the show's "gruelling schedule".
They claim Gemma "knew her lines off by heart" and was even allowed to cut back on rehearsal time, due to knowing the part "inside out".
Gemma's pal explained how a "last-ditch attempt" to be fit for the show saw the star undergo an x-ray two weeks ago, before having to admit defeat and accept that her historic injury has got the better of her.
They added how Gemma is still about to walk around, but performing on stage 48 times over six weeks - in addition to travelling across the country - would see the star struggling to give the role "her all".
In a statement given to The Sun, a spokesperson for Chicago confirmed Gemma's exit on Tuesday.
"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 statement read.
"The Producers of Chicago wish Gemma all the best for the future."
Gemma is yet to take to social media herself to comment on her decision to quit her first West End role, but has been documenting her knee pain with her Instagram followers.
"Early morning session for my knee. I can't describe the pain," the star captioned a video of herself receiving a treatment at Ice Health Cryotherapy Spa on Tuesday morning.
"The swelling is next level," Gemma continued, sharing a snap of her sore-looking knee with her 2.2million followers.
She later added: "My leg has ballooned with my knee. Hopefully this will take the swelling down."
Viewers watched in horror as Gemma face-planted the ice during a performance with professional partner Matt Evers on Dancing on Ice in 2019.
"Gemma's legs terrible, look," the star's then-boyfriend James Argent told his Instagram followers at the time.
"All round her knees, they're in a bad, bad way."
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@mirror.co.uk or call us direct at 0207 29 33033
