GEMMA Collins spent years convincing the world she was living her best diva life – but behind the designer handbags and larger-than-life personality, there was a time when the empire she had worked so hard to build started crumbling around her.
Incredibly, the GC pulled herself back from the brink and banked more than £1.4 million last year. But friends say the feat would have been nearly impossible without the help of one very special man.
Those closest to Gemma have revealed the secret to the Romford-born star’s success is her dad, Alan, who is credited as the only person who can keep Gemma grounded.
A source tells us: “People see Gemma as this unstoppable force of nature, but behind the scenes, Alan has always been her rock.
“When things got difficult financially, he stepped in and took control.
“Gemma trusts him completely. There aren’t many people she would hand that responsibility to.”
For years, Gemma has openly admitted that Alan is effectively the gatekeeper to her fortune.
In one interview, she confessed: “My dad controls all my money. Seriously, I have to ask him if I want to upgrade my car.”
It’s a remarkable admission for a woman who has built a reported £4million fortune and can command up to £75,000 for a single sponsored Instagram post.
But those who know the family say it perfectly sums up their relationship.
Another source tells us: “Alan has always kept Gemma grounded.
“She’s the star, but he’s the sensible head behind the scenes.
“When she gets excited about a new project, he’s often the person asking the difficult questions.”
The latest figures suggest that the approach is paying off.
Accounts for her personal brand, Gemma Collins Ltd, show the company landed profits of around £1.4 million last year.
For fans who remember the financial turmoil of previous years, this is a huge turnaround.
Back in 2017, Gemma Collins Boutique Ltd was forced into liquidation owing around £88,000 to creditors.
The problems continued when she was disqualified from acting as a company director for three years in 2020 after repeatedly failing to meet VAT return deadlines, with HMRC pursuing claims worth more than £71,000.
A separate clothing business was later voluntarily dissolved, while her cosmetics venture, GemmaCollagen Ltd, survived for just a matter of months before disappearing altogether.
One insider tells us: “There was a period where it felt like every business venture came with a headache.
“Gemma never stopped working, but there were definitely lessons learned.
“That’s when Alan became more involved.”
It is perhaps fitting that Gemma’s biggest supporter is also somebody who understands business himself.
Alan built a successful career in shipping and has long been regarded as one of the most influential figures in his daughter’s life.
Fans caught a glimpse of their bond on her reality shows, where Alan frequently offered advice, not just about money but about life itself.
During one emotional conversation about her turbulent romance with James Argent, he told her: “You’ve just got to find some stability in your life when you find the right person.
“As much as we all like Arg, you’ve got to decide if he’s the right person.”
He later added: “For my daughter, I want somebody who’s top dollar.”
Those close to the family say that attitude explains exactly why Gemma places so much trust in him.
One source tells us: “Alan isn’t interested in celebrity.
“He cares about Gemma being secure and looked after. That’s always been his focus.”
Their relationship has only strengthened in recent years.
Gemma has spoken emotionally about her father’s devastating battle with Covid in 2020, when he spent weeks fighting for his life in intensive care.
She has also supported both Alan and mum Joan through a series of serious health scares, including Joan’s breast cancer diagnosis and terrifying hospitalisation last year after she stopped breathing.
The ordeal brought the family even closer together.
These days, Alan and Joan live with Gemma in her £1.3 million Essex home alongside fiancé Rami.
Speaking previously, Gemma said: “They live with me now. They’ve moved into my home, so we’re like one big Irish family.”
And remarkably, there appears to be very little tension under the roof.
Previously speaking to The Sun, Gemma explained: “Rami was absolutely fine with it.
“He loves my parents. They get on really well.
“You’ve got to remember, Rami has been in my family for nearly 15 years.”
The happy family dynamic comes as Gemma prepares for what insiders believe could be one of the biggest chapters of her career.
Later this year, she will return to screens with a new Sky reality series, Four Weddings and a Baby, which follows her wedding plans with Rami and her hopes of starting a family.
One insider tells us: “This show is incredibly important to Gemma because it’s the most personal thing she’s ever done.
“People know The GC, but this is about the woman behind the character.
“She’s genuinely in a really happy place.”
And for Gemma, that happiness feels hard-earned.
Perhaps that’s why those closest to her believe the latest financial success means far more than a healthy bank balance.
It’s proof that after all the setbacks, Gemma Collins is finally enjoying the stability she spent years chasing.
And standing beside her through every twist and turn has been the same man all along.