Gemma Collins’ bank holiday bliss came to an abrupt halt when the former TOWIE star returned to her Range Rover after lunch in Essex – only to find a parking ticket slapped on her windscreen.
The reality TV favourite, dressed in a vibrant summer two-piece, appeared horrified at first but quickly shook off the shock, ripping the notice from her car with a beaming smile. Despite the fine, Gemma seemed to enjoy the record-breaking 28°C sunshine on what was the hottest day of the year so far.
The outing comes just days after Gemma was at the centre of a social media storm, appearing in a Department for Education campaign that was widely criticised as “tone-deaf.” The videos showed Gemma visiting the Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s office, talking about King Richard III and urging youngsters to “concentrate” on their studies.
The reality star, who left school at 16 with a single GCSE — a G in maths — sparked an online backlash from parents. One commented sarcastically: “I hadn’t thought of just saying ‘concentrate’. All will now be well.” Another joked: “What’s next? Joey Essex visits the Ministry of Defence?”
Critics stressed that for families navigating the challenging SEND system, featuring a celebrity with no personal experience was disconnected from reality. One wrote: “Many of us fight every step of the way for our children’s needs to be recognised. Using Gemma Collins for this campaign feels completely out of touch.”
Despite the controversy, Gemma showed she wasn’t letting anything dampen her bank holiday spirit, enjoying both her Italian lunch at Bel-Sit in Woodford and the sizzling British sunshine.
Even a parking ticket couldn’t ruin the GC’s day – she stayed radiant, reminding fans why she’s still a social media favourite, even amidst public backlash.
source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/
