A gem of a year

Here’s how 2017 became the year of Towie’s ‘meme queen’ Gemma Collins

Jill Robinson

Published: 10:37, 27 Dec 2017

GEMMA Collins has always been one of the most popular characters on Towie but 2017 saw her fame reach a whole new level.

From her outrageous outfit choices to her falling through a hole on stage, not to mention the fact she became the ultimate meme queen, the last 12 months really have been a time when the whole nation wanted a piece of Gemma's candy.

2017 has definitely been the year of Gemma CollinsCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Here's some of the GC's top moments in 2017.

Flashing her boobs on Sugar Free Farm

It should have been obvious right from January that Gemma was going to dominate the showbiz world in 2017.

The 36-year-old took part in Channel 5's Sugar Free Farm at the start of the year, and at one point, flashed her cleavage at the farmer she was working with.

As if that wasn't enough, she also collapsed after a day of - unsuccessful - fishing.

Stepping out in THAT orange dress

Gemma sparked a series of memes with this orange dress featuring epic shoulder padsCredit: Instagram

Back in July Gemma stunned her fans by attending the ITV summer party in an orange dress which featured epic shoulder pads.

The reality star was compared to an NFL player and the Honey Monster in a series of hilarious memes.

Which actually brings us on to our next highlight...

Blowing people's minds with how the Queen of memes pronounces memes

Gemma Collins talks about THAT dress and her other iconic looks

Gemma spoke to The Sun's Bizarre about that orange dress over the summer, but quickly caused a whole new discussion over the way she said 'meme'.

While most people pronounce it 'meem', Gemma said "memays" as she revealed why she had chosen the outfit in the first place.

Shocking people with THAT sheer swimsuit

Gemma made no apologies for showing off her figure in this revealing swimsuit eitherCredit: Flynet Pictures - Splash News

While on holiday in Tenerife back in October, Gemma wore a black sheer mesh swimsuit by the pool which left absolutely nothing to the imagination.

But defending her choice of swimwear, the reality star later explained to The Sun Online: "I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I don’t need to explain my outfits.

“It's not for everyone but I loved it - why shouldn’t a plus size girl wear mesh - who said they couldn’t?”

Flying a flag with her own face on it outside her clothing store

Gemma has never been the shy and retiring type but she still managed to shock her co-stars back in April when she flew a flag with her own face on it outside her boutique.

Standing in a sequin jacket, Gemma was proud as punch with her new addition as her Towie pals looked on, open-mouthed.

Deciding to be vegan as part of her 'spiritual awakening'

Towie's Gemma Collins goes vegetarian as she swears to never put meat in her mouth again

Speaking to Bobby Norris and Mike Hassini during an episode of Towie, Gemma said: “I’ve just had this awakening, I wanna save animals.”

“My whole life has been shadowed by materialism and actually, you get it all, and it’s all b*****ks.

“This is where I’m at. The idea was to go vegan, but I went out for lunch, ordered a jacket potato with coleslaw and then it was like ‘oh that’s got mayonnaise in it.’”

Falling through the stage at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards

Gemma fell through a trap door in the stage at the Radio 1 Teen Awards in OctoberCredit: Getty Images - Getty

October brought one of her biggest moments of the year as Gemma fell through a trap door in the stage at London's Wembley Arena while presenting a gong at the BBC Radio 1 Teen Awards.

Love Island stars Amber Davies, Jamie Jewitt and Marcel Somerville ran to help Gemma as she suddenly dropped through a trapdoor on stage.

The Towie star quickly took to social media to confirm she was OK - and later said it was "all worth it" when she posted a selfie with Rita Ora.

Here’s how 2017 became the year of Towie’s ‘meme queen’ Gemma Collins