Emmerdale star Samantha Giles and reality star Gemma Collins have found themselves in an unexpected row after the actress made comments that she'd punch her if they met in person.
The actress, who is best known for playing Bernice Blackstock in the ITV soap, told the Daily Star earlier this week that she "hadn't got a clue" who people who appear on reality shows are and said they are 'talentless'. "That Gemma Collins, I think I’d punch her if I ever came across her," Samantha said.
The 50-year-old soap star went on: "I don’t know - how can someone so talentless and revolting have made so much money. "I wouldn’t mind if she’d give it away and did something good with it, but all she seems to do is put more s*** on her face and do her nails."
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After discovering the comments Samantha made about her in the 'hurtful' interview, Gemma took to her Instagram stories to hit back by encouraging her fans to 'be kind' She posted snippets from the interview to her Instagram Story and said she didn't see someone wanting to 'punch her as a joke'.
"Really upsetting. To think I loved her in Corrie," the Dive Forever star continued despite the fact Samantha has never appeared on Coronation Street. "Nothing wrong with reality stars. We were all given an opportunity and we made the best out of it," Gemma added.
But Samantha has since apologised in a tweet - explaining that the comments had been "taken out of context". "I’m aware that comments I made on a press red carpet have been taken out of the context I meant them, so I’d like to apologise to Gemma," she wrote. I'd like to apologised for my misjudged jokes which I honestly didn’t mean. I hope this apology is acceptable. Hands held up from me."
However, it appears the apology hasn't been accepted. Former The Only Way is Essex star Gemma, 41, replied: “I am sending you love though because people like you need it the most, you say you're spiritual… punching people is NOT spiritual, it’s abuse… I’d like to hear the tape from the recording as I can’t see anything funny in it."
Gemma found fame on Towie back in 2011 and has gone on to front her own ITVBe show, appeared on Dancing On Ice and I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here and last month she headed to Manchester as part of her one-woman tour. She debuted GC's Big Night Out in the city and was mobbed by fans as she left the Opera House.
And Gemma, who is taking on the iconic role of Mama Morton in the touring production of Chicago: The Musical from next month, razzle dazzled 'em in a vibrant suit and shades as she was mobbed by excited fans. She teamed her on-trend 90s-style suit with bold pink heels that also added to the nostalgic look that evoked memories of the decade that gave us Beverly Hills 90210 and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Meanwhile, Samantha returned to the soap last year as she turned 50 - and has had a varied career in TV after appearing in the biggest soaps since the late nineties. The star also has an interesting life tale away from cameras as she identifies as a Wiccan – a follower of a modern pagan religion and even met her partner Sean Pritchard after casting a spell.
