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GEM'S JUST DESSERTS
Gemma Collins set to appear on Celebrity MasterChef as compensation for on-stage fall at the Radio 1 Teen Awards
BBC bosses have settled a legal wrangle with Gemma Collins after her horror fall while presenting at the Radio 1 Teen Awards – by giving her a place on Celebrity MasterChef.
The Towie star fell through a trap door on stage while hosting last October, and later confirmed she was consulting lawyers as a result of her injuries.
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But she offered to back down on her claims if Beeb executives agreed to book her to appear on Strictly Come Dancing.
Speaking the next morning, the 37-year-old said: “I’m in pain this morning I’m not going to lie. It could have been fatal.
“Under there was all machinery going on. I’ve got to apologise to the Love Island guys because I wiped them out.
“All will be forgiven with the BBC if they give me a slot on Strictly next year, then I’ll let bygones be bygones.”
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But she has settled for MasterChef, hosted by Gregg Wallace and John Torode, in a deal with the BBC — which broadcasts both the show and the Teen Awards.
A TV source said: “After the incident it didn’t look as though Gemma would ever work with the BBC again, but there has been some peace-making behind the scenes.
“Initially she was determined that only Strictly Come Dancing would do, but she’s excited about the prospect of MasterChef and it has very much cooled the tension.
“Everyone is looking forward to having her on. She’s a great character and popular with viewers – she’ll bring something very different to the series.”
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Gemma collapsed down the hole while presenting the Best TV Show prize to Love Island’s stars Amber Davies, Jamie Jewitt and Marcel Somerville.
Following the incident, which became a viral sensation online, Gemma told The Sun: “I’ve got to consult a lawyer, yeah. The BBC, they’ve not been in touch with any compensation or anything – or even an apology.
“I am overwhelmed by everyone’s support but if we just take a minute and watch that clip back it could have been the end of The GC. I can’t back down from it.”
She described how, after plummeting into the hole, people below the stage screamed to quickly “get her up because her legs are going to get crushed” before she was hauled back up by the Love Island stars.
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She added: “Not at one point did they say, ‘If you move to the right, you are going to fall’. They didn’t even tell me they were coming up from below.”
Other names signed up for this summer’s Celebrity MasterChef, hosted by Gregg Wallace and John Torode, include Pippa Middleton’s brother-in-law Spencer Matthews, actress Lisa Maxwell and Holby City star Chizzy Akudolu.
A spokeswoman said: "It is nonsense to suggest that the Celebrity Masterchef line up is chosen for any other reason than individuals’ suitability as contestants and with our audience in mind. We look forward to announcing this year’s line-up, which we know viewers will love.”
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Radio One Teen Awards audience member captures the moment Gemma Collins falls through the stage
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