Gemma Collins says she’s feeling ‘so lucky’ as she spends Christmas Eve with her Covid-survivor dad
GEMMA Collins expressed her gratitude at being able to celebrate Christmas with her dad who survived Covid.
The TOWIE legend 'felt lucky' to have Christmas Eve with her dad after admitting was left traumatised by dad, Alan's Covid battle last Christmas.
Posting a pic to her Instagram which showed Alan reading to a youngster on his lap at Gemma's £1.3million Essex property, the star counted her blessings.
"A BEAUTIFUL Christmas Eve 💫☃️❄️☃️ we won’t ever forget Christmas last year but feeling so lucky to have dad here 💫❄️💫," she captioned the heartwarming post.
Gemma's fans congratulated her on having her dad with her and wished them a happy Christmas.
"So happy to see this babes merry christmas to u all xxxx," wrote one elated fan.
Another added: "Sending love xxx This will be my 5th ‘thought I would never see this day’ xmas with my dad. So grateful too. xxx"
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And a third commented: "Amen to that Gem 🙏❤️ Merry Christmas!"
Gemma recently told how 12 months later she often breaks down in tears in public as she comes to terms with how close she was to losing his father.
Speaking to The Sun, Gemma said: "My dad nearly passed with Christmas last year with Covid.
"He gets stronger every day. He is very up and down but he is under strict orders - I only let him work 3 days a week now.
"Long Covid is not a five minute thing. It is a journey. I was so traumatised by it. I keep having flashbacks now.
"I will be in the middle of the street or the shop and suddenly I will start crying and mum will be like 'are you alright?'
"I just cant believe what happened this time last year."
While the past year has been tough on both Gemma and all of her family, the larger-than-life TV star admits it's given her a new outlook on life.
Keen to to cherish every moment, Gemma has teamed up with Sainsbury's to going all out and make sure this Christmas is the her most special yet.
She continued: "I am going to be stuck to my dad like glue. He is going to want to run away from me.
"For me this year we are spending lots of family time.
"This year I have gone all out and I have got caterers in to make sure I don't burn the turkey or the sprouts."
Gemma also showed off her amazing decorations
Starting the tour, the ITV star first showed off her wooden pergola which was wrapped in dazzling lights, red bows and festive pine garlands.
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Elsewhere at her £1.3million Essex property, Gemma's pine trees and boxwood spiral trees were also wrapped in yards of led lights.
Adding a touch of wildlife to the area, the reality TV star had life-sized light up reindeer and a giant elephant as well as clutters of dazzling snowballs.
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