Gemma Collins reveals she’s ‘outgrown’ her £1.3m Essex mansion just one year after buying it

GEMMA Collins revealed she is looking to invest in a second property after "outgrowing" her £1.3m Essex mansion.

The former Towie star, 40, said her home has been taken over by animals after getting a cat called Snowybell and a hamster.

The Essex diva said she is ready to purchase her next pad just one year after splashing out on the glass-fronted, open plan home.

"My house has become an animal sanctuary, Hayden has given me his hamster, so I've inherited a hamster, I love my nephew so much, but I need to draw the line," she said on the Gemma Collins podcast.

"So, Hayden this summer has also brought me a little kitten which has also become my pride and joy.

"But in true Gemma Collins style, I bought her a pink bowl, a pink bed, this is the child I never had, this is my daughter.

"I named her Snowybell, I get this cat and fall in love with her, she gets special delivery of steamed food.

"I take her to the vets, and they informed me she is a boy; my cat is going to be a gender-neutral cat now.

“To be honest, I need another house soon because I’ve grown out of this house.

"There are animals everywhere, there are people everywhere, but I wouldn't have it any other way."

During the episode, Gemma revealed that she's been forced to "cut back" and switch off her heating amid the cost-of-living crisis.

The TV favourite admitted she's become "mindful" about the rising cost of living and has taken steps to reduce her spending.

"The cost of living crisis, yes I have the news on, I try not to but I said I'm going to spend October and November trying to make sensible cutbacks because if you look after the pennies they look after you," the 41-year-old Essex babe said on her GC podcast.

"I have done something with every meal time, I go into my cupboards and make some serious cutbacks like everyone else.

"It is scary, mortgages are going up, electrics going up.

"I'm telling everyone not to put the heating on in my house.

"I'm making sure every lights are off, I normally have every TV switched on in the room - not necessarily watching something, but I'd have TV on in one room, music on in the other, but I've really been mindful to cut back on all of that."

The star admitted that she's making meals from leftovers in her fridge to reduce her food shopping each week.

She explained that she's been growing her own fruit and veg to stop her "wasting money".

Her house boasts high ceilings supported by wooden beams, a spectacular spiral light feature, and dozens of windows including floor to ceiling glass windows that let in plenty of light.

On one side of the huge open plan living room lies two grey velvet sofas and a blue velvet armchair, glass coffee tables, and a glossy white cabinet with potted pants.

In the middle of the room, opposite wide patio doors, is a modern pine dining table that can seat up to ten people, with benches on either side instead of chairs.

The property also boasts plenty of outdoor space, where the GC has shared clips of her exercising.