Loose Women star replaces Gemma Collins ‘completely gutted’ in Chicago due to injury

Ex TOWIE star Gemma Collins was due to play Mama Morton in the touring Chicago film, but was forced to withdraw due to a knee injury.

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Gemma Collins’ trauma forced her to give up her role in Chicago

Loose Women star Brenda Edwards is set to replace Gemma Collins as Mama Morton in the Chicago productions.

Loose Women contestant and former X Factor contestant, 53, will join the cast in June and July.

Former The Only Way is Essex star Gemma was due to make her musical debut at the Sunderland Empire this month but has now pulled out due to a knee injury.

Brenda, who has also appeared in Hairspray, Carousel and We Will Rock You, and will now replace Gemma in production, which begins June 2.

Brenda, the mother of the late music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards, made her West End debut as the creepy boss of the women’s section at the Cook County Jail in 2007.

Earlier this week, the Chicago producer explained that Gemma would no longer appear.

A statement read: “Gemma Collins’ management has informed the Chicago producers that she will no longer appear on the UK Tour due to a knee injury.

“Chicago producers wish Gemma all the best for the future.”

It is thought that the injury she sustained while skating on Dancing On Ice in 2019 has returned.

She later posted a video of herself being treated, writing: “Early morning for my knee. I have indescribable pain.

“The swelling is next level. My legs were bubbling with my knees. Hopefully this will reduce the swelling. ”

A source told Sun : “Gemma is absolutely heartbroken that she has to withdraw from Chicago. She had shed many tears and was inconsolable.

“Gemma realized that her knees wouldn’t be able to handle the grueling schedule.

“She had a fall during Dancing On Ice and a knee injury then started to flare up, as it had happened before.

“Gemma knew she wouldn’t be able to keep up with the demands of a grueling show like Chicago.

“She knew her lines by heart and was even told that she could cut back on the sessions because she knew the part inside and out.

“She had an X-ray two weeks ago and then went to see someone about her knee last Friday, which means she missed a training session.

“It was a last-ditch effort to assess the matter before opening night. However, she had to admit defeat and accept the inevitable.

“She’s still able to walk but dancing, singing and acting in 48 performances over six weeks with mobility stuck in her car means she won’t be able to give her best.”

Brenda will now be producing with the previously announced cast of Lee Mead as Billy Flynn, Faye Brookes as Roxie Hart, Djalenga Scott as Velma Kelly, Jamie Baughan as Amos Hart, and BE Wong as the role. Mary Sunshine.

Her run will continue until 23 July with performances at Cardiff New Theatre, Blackpool Winter Garden, Sheffield Lyceum Theatre, Norwich Royal Theatre, and Oxford New Theatre.