Gemma Collins sparks concern after continuing to shoot her new reality show ‘with a small crew’ despite government warnings amid lockdown
- Britain is preparing for a fourth week of social distancing and self-quarantine in a bid to halt the spread of deadly coronavirus COVID-19
- But despite repeated demands for people to stay at home, a small production team is understood to be making daily trips to the reality star’s Essex home
- However the crew remain safely outside the property, shared by Gemma, 39, and her brother Russell, and adhere to strict government mandated guidelines’
- ‘Arguably, the crew cannot work from home so what else are they to do?’ a source said of their repeated appearances at her home
- Learn more about how to help people impacted by COVID
Gemma Collins has sparked concern by continuing to film her new reality show during the current government mandated lockdown.
Britain is preparing for a fourth week of social distancing and self-quarantine in a bid to halt the spread of deadly coronavirus COVID-19, with 10,612 having already lost their lives to the virus across the United Kingdom.
But despite repeated demands for people to stay at home, a small production team is understood to be making daily trips to the reality star’s Essex home in order to film forthcoming ITVBe series Diva On Lockdown, The Sun reports.
Worry: Gemma Collins has sparked concern by continuing to film her new reality show during the current government mandated lockdown
However the crew remain safely outside the property, shared by Gemma, 39, and her brother Russell, and adhere to strict government mandated guidelines by ensuring they do not interact with each other.
Those safety standards also extend to Gemma, with whom the team – who have reportedly all been tested for the coronavirus – pass on direction via an ear-piece radio system.
A source told The Sun: ‘People are being told to stay inside except for all essential travel, or if you can’t work from home. Arguably, the crew cannot work from home so what else are they to do?
Carrying on: Despite repeated demands for people to stay at home, a small production team is understood to be making daily trips to the reality star’s Essex home in order to film forthcoming ITVBe series Diva On Lockdown
‘But neighbours and locals have raised eyebrows about people traipsing to sit outside Gemma’s house to film a reality show when people are dying from this crisis. There’s a feeling among some that it’s bosses putting profits over health.’
It’s understood that a team was required to enter Gemma’s home to film scenes on Monday, but disinfected their camera equipment shortly after leaving.
Gemma was in the middle of filming a new series of Diva Forever when the lockdown was put in place forcing it to go in a different direction.
Change of plans: Gemma was in the middle of filming a new series of Diva Forever when the lockdown was put in place forcing it to go in a different direction and rebrand her show
Renamed Diva On Lockdown, it will follow the reality star as she navigates through the crisis and makes changes to her daily life and routine.
Taking to her Instagram Story on Saturday, Gemma shared: ‘We were in the middle of filming my new series of Diva with loads of exciting stuff planned.
‘But as you know, we’ve found ourselves in the middle of a pandemic. So here we are now…I’m standing in my living room, with fixed rig cameras all over my house to bring you Diva on Lockdown.
Opening up: Taking to her Instagram Story on Saturday, Gemma admitted she show was taking a different direction as a result of the coronavirus pandemic
‘You want the GC, so the GC found a new way of working. You’re going to see everything that I do in isolation. We’ll all be on our journey together.’
Using fixed-rig cameras set up around her house the three hour-long episodes will see the star fight to keep her Brentwood shop trading and secure her dream home amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Gemma continued ‘I’m being filmed and I’ve also got the producers speaking in my ear so if it sounds as if I’m talking to myself…well maybe sometimes I am.
Coming soon: ‘You want the GC, so the GC found a new way of working. You’re going to see everything that I do in isolation. We’ll all be on our journey together,’ she said
‘I can guarantee though, what you see will definitely be 100% authentic GC. I hope it cheers you up in these difficult times.’
ITV head of digital channels and acquisitions Paul Mortimer said: ‘Gemma has proven in all her previous outings across ITV that she is a star who thrives on audience and public interaction.
‘Both generous and warm, the GC is one of the most gregarious personalities in the UK. ITVBe is therefore very grateful to her for finishing production on her new series whilst on lockdown.’
Diva on Lockdown will air on ITVBe later this month
MailOnline has contacted a representative for further comment.