Gemma Collins Uncovers Shocking Family Connection to Jack the Ripper
Former reality TV star Gemma Collins, known for her appearances on The Only Way is Essex (TOWIE), has recently made a startling discovery about her family history while filming an episode of the BBC show Who Do You Think You Are? Collins, 43, revealed that she has a shocking link to one of the most infamous serial killers in history, Jack the Ripper.
During the filming of the show, Collins learned that members of her family once resided on Dorset Street in London, the same street where two of Jack the Ripper’s victims, Mary Kelly and Annie Chapman, lived. Dorset Street was known for being one of the most lawless areas in London during the time of the Ripper, with minimal police presence.
Collins expressed her astonishment at the revelation, stating, “We lived on the same street as Jack the Ripper’s victims. So, one of my lot could have actually been Jack the Ripper. When you watch it, we’re on the same street in London, Dorset Street, where Jack the Ripper was doing all his killings. That was a bit of, you know, absolutely shocking.”
Exploring Family History
In addition to uncovering this chilling connection to Jack the Ripper, Collins also delved into the history of her mother, Joan, who was adopted. Through her journey on the show, Collins sought to uncover the reasons behind her grandmother’s decision to give her mother up for adoption.
Reflecting on the experience, Collins shared, “I think it was like a Pandora’s Box, it needed to be opened, and now it’s opened it has definitely been the biggest gift I could have ever given my mom. But she’s just got so many things that she didn’t know that was never answered for her.”
Collins also touched on the challenges her mother faced, revealing, “I think it was very sad, you can see from the film that her mum maybe wasn’t in the best space to keep her, and it was the right decision. But sadly my mum had a lucky escape, thank god she didn’t stay with her mum, although she’s only found that out now and spent her whole life wondering why it was the right reason.”
Emotional Revelations
Throughout the episode, Collins’s mother was described as being both “very open” and “apprehensive” about uncovering the truth behind her adoption. The revelations made during the show shed light on the difficult circumstances surrounding her mother’s upbringing and the challenges she faced.
Collins expressed gratitude for the opportunity to delve into her family history, stating, “It was for the very best that she was taken from her mum, for sure, because her mum went on to have abusive partners, very abusive partners, so that was not good at all. And god forbid that would have happened to mum.”
The emotional journey on Who Do You Think You Are? provided Collins and her family with closure and a deeper understanding of their roots. The episode is set to air on BBC One, offering viewers a glimpse into the shocking revelations and discoveries that unfolded during Collins’s exploration of her family history.
By uncovering her family’s connection to Jack the Ripper and delving into the complexities of her mother’s past, Gemma Collins’s journey on Who Do You Think You Are? promises to be a poignant and eye-opening experience for both Collins and viewers alike.
