Gemma Collins reveals plans to grow her own food and keep chickens due to cost of living crisis

Gemma Collins has revealed that she plans to grow her own food due to the ongoing cost of living crisis.

The former TOWIE star, 42, who is believed to be worth £7.3 million, hopes so keep chickens to beat food shortages and become self-sufficient.

During a Tuesday appearance on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Gemma explained how she was inspired by Matt Damon’s 2015 film, The Martian, in which the astronaut protagonist struggles to survive on Mars after being abandoned by NASA.

Gemma regularly shares photos of her vegetables on Instagram after building an allotment garden in her £1.3 million mansion in Essex.

She said, “I woke up this morning and saw the news and I wish I never aired it because it freaks me out all day.

And literally I saw about the food shortages and I thought, “I need eggs, I need chickens!” because I grow potatoes and I think you could survive.

“I saw Matt Damon in a movie one time, he went to Mars. I remember a bit in the field where he grew potatoes and I thought, “Well, if I grow potatoes and I have fresh eggs, I’m going to live,” so that was the thought process.

‘I went to the supermarket recently and tea bags were £5.10, I drink tea like it’s going out of style and I even took double and I thought ‘That’s a freedom!’

“No one in this country or anywhere deserves to be in a situation where they can’t afford food, so if I keep growing the vegetables they can come to me and get it from me, it’s so rewarding, I’m obsessed.”

Gemma also shared the joy of eating the fresh vegetables straight from her garden while slashing the expensive supermarket prices.

She said, ‘I had a great meal last night, cut the lettuce from the ground, yes I had to wash off a few snails, but the taste of the lettuce was amazing.

“You can go into a grocery store and you’ll pay, especially for that packaged salad.” I think in a supermarket you literally just buy the iceberg lettuce and it costs around £3.99 and there is no flavour.

‘And I’ve also noticed lately that a lot of fruit and vegetables aren’t fresh when you buy them, so that’s not fair to the consumer, is it?’

Despite her financial worries, Gemma recently threw a royal party as she celebrated the coronation in lavish style at her £1.3million Essex mansion.

No stranger to splashing the cash, the influencer spared no expense when she bought a massive two trollies of Fortnum and Mason goodies for the occasion.

She made no secret of her outrageous shopping and gave followers a glimpse into her “very regal afternoon tea party” as she shared photos to her Instagram story.

Among other things, the TV personality enjoyed a King Charles cake and themed cookie box, while decorating her home with flags and masks.

While getting ready for the main event, Gemma’s preparations began the day before with her trip to London to gather food and stop for a quick photo in front of Buckingham Palace.

Speaking of her story of Fortnum and Mason, she said, “So I’m all set for the coronation tomorrow guys, the limited edition stuff here for the coronation is incredible.”

She later added i’m so excited about the coronation #king how are you feeling all mixed reviews but i do love the king charles for all his work he does with animals and nature and @princestrust i’m doing a very royal afternoon tea party with my family, how do you celebrate?”

Gemma burst onto our screens in 2011 when she joined the cast of The Only Way Is Essex as a humble car salesman, but her life has changed dramatically since then.

And over the four years that followed, she became a household name on the beloved reality show with her iconic one-liners and dramatic arguments.

Since leaving the show, she has accumulated a huge platform and 2.2 million Instagram followers and has earned millions from various businesses, TV appearances and brand deals.

After piling on the cash, Gemma wasn’t shy about showing off her lavish outings and designer wardrobe.

Gemma spent the pandemic at The Dorchester, “just like Judy Garland,” she told MailOnline — though Judy Garland would have sent KFC Bargain Buckets, which Gemma did.

There have been book deals, clothing deals – she’s the current face of New Look – recommendations and plenty of shopping along the way.

Speaking of her spending habits, the TV star previously told MailOnline, “At one point I had money to burn. I had Knightsbridge fever.

‘I was spending £50,000 a day at Gucci. But shopping gets boring after a while if you can afford it.’

“For me it was a form of self-harm. Sometimes it’s about the thrill you’re after – not the stuff.

“I can understand why Winona Ryder stole that stuff [the actress was convicted in 2002 of shoplifting designer goods worth $5,000 from Saks Fifth Avenue].’