Gemma Collins has reportedly threatened to quit Dancing on Ice after presenter Holly Willoughby took aim at her diva persona and criticised her lack of “professionalism” on the show.
A source told The Sun that Collins was “devastated” by Willoughby’s comments, which came after the former TOWIE star left Sunday night’s live performance 15 minutes early.
“She’s devastated by everything that’s been said and is threatening to quit,” the insider told the paper. “She’s feeling there’s a conspiracy to bring down their biggest star.”
Revealing that the TV personality was feeling “exhausted” after intense rehearsals and an early start, they went on to claim that producers will put up with Collins’ behaviour because she is the show’s “biggest star.”
“On the first show she told an exec she was the star so shouldn’t have to be in group performances or stand on the balcony to watch the others,” they added.
Discussing the show on Monday’s episode of This Morning, Willoughby and her co-host Phillip Schofield criticised the star for keeping Dancing on Ice cast and crew waiting during a dress rehearsal.
2018 winner Kem Cetinay revealed Collins had been found backstage having “a nap,” and added that the contestant was also absent for “the last quarter of the show” on Sunday, as she was “a bit bored.”
Willoughby didn’t hold back as she called Collins out on her lack of “professionalism.”
“I love Gemma, I’m a big fan of hers and I love her on the show,” she said. “But I do think there has to be a bit of professionalism that comes into any work you do, just a bit of pride in your work.”
Schofield added: “In all the years I’ve been in television, I have never kept a studio waiting.”
When Cetinay suggested that Collins’ behaviour was part of her diva persona, Willoughby disagreed.
“That’s absolute rubbish, that’s just a really good excuse to get away with stuff you don’t want to do,” she said. “I love that side of her, I do love it, but I do think professionalism will always outweigh that diva behaviour.”
Standard Online has contacted representatives for Collins for comment.
Dancing on Ice is on ITV, Sunday at 6pm
