Gemma Collins has been forced to pull out of the UK tour of Chicago after injuring her knee.
The 41-year-old reality star was due to make her musical theatre debut as prison matron Mama Morton in the classic musical next Tuesday in , but has been left ‘inconsolable’ after her leg injury from 2019 flared up.
Taking to Instagram, Gemma shared videos of her swollen leg and revealed she ‘can’t describe the pain I’m in’.
‘Gemma is absolutely gutted she’s had to pull out of Chicago,’ an insider said. ‘She has been in floods of tears and is inconsolable.
‘Gemma realised her knee wouldn’t stand up to the gruelling schedule She had a bad fall on Dancing On Ice and an injury to her knee then started to flare up, as it has done before from time to time.’
The Diva Forever star, who famously lost control of her balance while competing on the ITV skating show and crashed face-down into the rink, is said to have known the part so well that directors let her cut down on rehearsals.
However, one ‘last-ditch’ attempt at sorting her knee problem led her to quitting the show altogether.
The source added to : ‘She has had to admit defeat and accept the inevitable. She is still able to walk around but dancing, singing and acting in 48 performances over six weeks with all the travelling stuck in a car meant she wouldn’t be able to give the part her all.’
Producers of the musical also confirmed Gemma’s exit from the production and wished her all the best.
A statement read: ‘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 Producers of Chicago wish Gemma all the best for the future.’
Chicago, which tells the story of two women who end up in jail accused of murder and become tabloid sensations, has been on tour throughout the UK for almost a year and also stars ex-Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes.
It’s not yet been confirmed who will replace Gemma in the role that was made famous by Queen Latifah in the Oscar-winning film.
Sinitta, who is currently playing the Mama Morton, is due to complete her run in the show later this week.
