Gemma Collins speaks about Arg and mental health on Life Stories

In the emotional episode which aired last night she revealed how she had struggled with mental health, spoke about her heartbreaking miscarriage and how she had dealt with bullying.

Here are five things we learnt from the episode.

‘It can happen to anyone’

Gemma spoke about how her mental health had been impacted and she had self-harmed when she was younger.

She told Piers she had started when she was 20-years-old after breaking up with her long-term boyfriend.

She had been forced to terminate a pregnancy as doctors said the baby was 'deformed'.

She said: “It was like a release. It was a coping mechanism I think, but I am well out of it now, and I never tried to revisit that.

“I should have probably had therapy at the time, and I wouldn't judge anyone - it can happen to anyone.”

Gemma talks about her relationship with James Argent

She told Piers about her on-off relationship with fellow TOWIE star James, admitting his battled with drug addition damaged their relationship.

She said drugs “changed him as a person”.

“I fought every day for three years to get him well,” she added.

She admitted the end of the relationship caused her mental health problems.

She added: “I just thought, I don't wanna be here anymore.”

James went on to seek treatment at the start of 2020.

Gemma endured a miscarriage at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown last spring bringing more heartbreak for the star.

Gemma talking to Piers Morgan. Picture: ITV

Gemma’s dad gives her a monthly £3,000 allowance

The TOWIE star spoke about how her spending had got out of control leading to her dad to take action.

She told Piers of how she spent £50,000 in just two months.

Gemma described herself as a “big spender” and admitted her parents had stepped in after becoming concerned.

She said: "I felt disgusted in myself; I went absolutely crazy in Gucci - shoes, bags, coats.

“I was staying in the Dorchester more or less every night of the week, £600 a pop, and I was wining and dining in there.”

Gemma admits she turns to food in a crisis

She discussed her ongoing struggle with her weight, saying: “I think I have always turned to food in times of crisis.

“I mean, any occasion – if I’m happy I eat, if I’m sad I eat.

“But I think it’s about dealing with your emotions and trying to find a way of dealing with them in a healthy way and not turning to something that can harm you.

“Because it is like a form of self-harm.”

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Gemma speaks about the impact of bullying on her life

She revealed she was once on the receiving end of a tirade from a member of the public in front of her mother.

Crying as she watched a clip of people talking about the abuse she has received, the 40-year-old said: “That’s hard to watch. You don’t forget it but that’s the downside to fame. I’m a lot more comfortable now in my own skin.”

Discussing how some people will even say cruel things to her face, she said: “It was so embarrassing once, I was taking my mum for lunch, a van pulled up and they started abusing me. It wasn’t for me – I felt so hurt that that happened in front of my mum.”

Collins said they called her “fat” and added: “Look at you, stuffing your face.”

• You can rewatch the episode on ITV Player.