Gemma Collins is said to be 'inconsolable' after having to pull out of the Chicago tour, a week ahead of her intended debut in Sunderland.
There was a huge reaction online and from the theatre industry when it was confirmed that former TOWIE diva Gemma had been signed up to play one of the Broadway and West End Smash's most iconic characters, Mama Morton, with a few eyebrows being raised at the casting. A delighted Gemma told fans she couldn't wait to get stated, while producer David Ian assured doubters that she'd given a fantastic audition.
Gemma was all set to make her first appearance as Mama Morton, a role previously taken on on stage by the likes of Kelly Osbourne, Mica Paris and Sam Bailey and made famous in the Oscar winning film version by Queen Latifah, at the Sunderland Empire on May 31, with a lot of interest and curiosity surrounding her first performance.
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However, with just a week to go before curtain up, The Sun reports that Gemma, who has been a contestant on I'm A Celebrity, Celebrity Big Brother and Dancing on Ice, has been forced to quit Chicago, due to an injury sustained during her time on the latter. ITV viewers will remember Gemma falling flat on her face on the ice as she skated to Celine Dion's It's All Coming Back To Me Now and, on Tuesday, Gemma uploaded videos to Instagram of her swollen knee being treated after it had flared up again.
A source told the paper: "Gemma is absolutely gutted she’s had to pull out of Chicago. She has been in floods of tears and is inconsolable. Gemma realised her knee wouldn't stand up to the gruelling schedule."
Bosses at the production have since confirmed: "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."
News of Gemma's departure from Chicago hasn't come as much of a surprise to people on Twitter. One sceptic quizzed: "im sorry but how can the injury from dancing on ice be the reason gemma collins cant be in chicago? surely she would of known that before even committing to the role?"
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