Gemma Collins has revealed she wants to become a foster carer saying she has “a lot of love” to give.
The former The Only Way Is Essex star, 43, has been very open about her desire to be a mum and of the struggles she has faced in the past to conceive, including three miscarriages and failed attempts at IVF.
Now, the reality TV favourite, who is engaged to businessman Rami Hawash, says she is considering other ways of extending her family.
Collins’ mother Joan was brought up in foster care and she says she would now like to do the same for a young child.
Appearing on ITV’s Good Morning Britain on Friday with her mum, Gemma said: "There's a lot of love I can give. I always make a good dinner!"
Gemma Collins has told us she wants to become a foster carer. The reality star was inspired by her mum who grew up in a foster home.
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) October 4, 2024
It comes as the national fostering group warned of a caring crisis. pic.twitter.com/Ydq9xGvGsm
Gemma and Joan recently had the opportunity to reconnect with their long-lost family on an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?
They are closer than ever now, with the cousin coming around at the weekend to have a curry with Gemma and Joan.
The Essex-native - who refers to herself as “The GC” - said the experience has helped her to feel more “complete” and has inspired her to consider opening her heart and her home to a child in need.
Her comments come as National Fostering Group warned of a caring crisis.
A new report has revealed that 12,500 foster carers are needed at the moment, and the number of children needing a home has risen by 14 per cent on last year.
Recalling her childhood, Joan insisted she was really "lucky".
“There are so many rooms going spare across the UK," Gemma added, as she urged people to help.
Gemma suffered her first miscarriage in 2012, which she opened up about for the first time eight years later in 2020.
Not realising that she was pregnant at the time, Gemma said that the baby “died in front of her” after giving birth at home on her landing.
Gemma suffered her second pregnancy loss in 2020 during the Covid pandemic.
She then endured her third loss a few months later in July 2020 after falling pregnant with her ex-boyfriend James Argent's baby.
Gemma refuses to give up on her dream of becoming a mother and admits that she thinks about the miscarriages “every day”.
