Gemma Collins says she has cancelled a trip to China over coronavirus fears.
In an interview with The Guardian, the Only Way is Essex star said: “I was supposed to be going to China this month, but, with the coronavirus, I don’t wanna risk it.”
The star then reflected on the potential threat, saying: “Then again, when it’s your time, it’s your time”.
Coronavirus has spread around the world since the epidemic began in Wuhan, with China experiencing the highest death toll from the virus.
Gemma Collins – In pictures
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Gemma Collins on Instagram
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Gemma Collins on’Celebs Go Dating’
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Gemma Collins on ‘The Only Way is Essex’
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Gemma Collins on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2014
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Gemma Collins on’Celebs Go Dating’
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Gemma Collins on’Celebs Go Dating’
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Gemma Collins on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2014
Rex Features
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Nominated: Gemma Collins and Danniella Westbrook are up for Tuesday’s eviction along with Stephanie Davis
Channel 5
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Gemma Collins appearing on Celebrity Big Brother
Channel 5
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Gemma Collins arriving at the ITV Gala 2017 held at the London Palladium
Getty Images
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Gemma Collins makes US TV on Wendy Williams after her Radio 1 Teen 2017 Awards fall
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Gemma Collins is helped by Amber Davies, Jamie Jewitt and Marcel Somerville as she falls on stage during the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards 2017 at Wembley Arena
Getty Images
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Gemma Collins makes fun of her Radio 1 Teen 2017 Awards fall on Instagram
@gemmacollins1
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Gemma Collins attending BBC Radio 1’s Teen Awards 2017
PA
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Gemma Collins attending the European premiere of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets at Cineworld in Leicester Square in 2017
PA
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Gemma Collins appearing on Celebrity Big Brother
Channel 5
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Gemma Collins.in ‘Sugar Free’
ITV
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Gemma Collins on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2014
ITV
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Gemma Collins on ‘The Only Way is Essex’
ITV
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Getty Images
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Exciting: the GC teased new plans for a trip to Los Angeles
Getty Images
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‘Standing on ice’: Gemma Collins was mocked by viewers
ITV
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Rex Features
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ames Argent with Gemma Collins
PA
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Channel 4
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@gemmacollins1
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@gemmacollins1
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Gemma Collins on Instagram
@gemmacollins1
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Gemma Collins on’Celebs Go Dating’
Channel 4
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Gemma Collins on ‘The Only Way is Essex’
ITV
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Gemma Collins on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2014
ITV/Rex
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Gemma Collins on’Celebs Go Dating’
Channel 4
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Gemma Collins on’Celebs Go Dating’
Channel 4
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Gemma Collins on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2014
Rex Features
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Nominated: Gemma Collins and Danniella Westbrook are up for Tuesday’s eviction along with Stephanie Davis
Channel 5
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Gemma Collins appearing on Celebrity Big Brother
Channel 5
10/30
Gemma Collins arriving at the ITV Gala 2017 held at the London Palladium
Getty Images
11/30
Gemma Collins makes US TV on Wendy Williams after her Radio 1 Teen 2017 Awards fall
12/30
Gemma Collins is helped by Amber Davies, Jamie Jewitt and Marcel Somerville as she falls on stage during the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards 2017 at Wembley Arena
Getty Images
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Gemma Collins makes fun of her Radio 1 Teen 2017 Awards fall on Instagram
@gemmacollins1
14/30
Gemma Collins attending BBC Radio 1’s Teen Awards 2017
PA
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Gemma Collins attending the European premiere of Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets at Cineworld in Leicester Square in 2017
PA
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Gemma Collins appearing on Celebrity Big Brother
Channel 5
17/30
Gemma Collins.in ‘Sugar Free’
ITV
18/30
Gemma Collins on ‘I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!’ in 2014
ITV
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Gemma Collins on ‘The Only Way is Essex’
ITV
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Getty Images
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Exciting: the GC teased new plans for a trip to Los Angeles
Getty Images
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‘Standing on ice’: Gemma Collins was mocked by viewers
ITV
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Rex Features
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ames Argent with Gemma Collins
PA
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Channel 4
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@gemmacollins1
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@gemmacollins1
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@gemmacollins1
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@gemmacollins1
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@gemmacollins1
Collins also spoke about her devastation at the death of Caroline Flack and her own negative experiences with attention from tabloids.
“I remember a time when a reporter hounded me every three hours – it was like they hated me,” she said.
“It’s easy for someone to say: ‘Ignore it, it will go away tomorrow,’ but it can have huge implications on a person, and a lot of time what [the papers are] saying isn’t true.”
She suggested that Love Island needs a “rethink”, adding: “Maybe they should pull it off air.”
She also said she deals with public misconceptions about her work ethic: “People just think I lay in bed every day with people fanning me down or bathing in asses’ milk like Cleopatra,” she said.
“It’s not the case: I work, I work and I work.”
