Tue Sep 17 05:40:27 UTC 2024: ## Towie Star Gemma Collins Explores Family History, Uncovers Shocking Connection to Jack the Ripper

**London, UK** – Reality TV star Gemma Collins, known for her appearances on “The Only Way is Essex,” has unearthed a startling revelation about her family history. While filming the BBC’s “Who Do You Think You Are?” Collins discovered a possible connection to the infamous serial killer Jack the Ripper.

During her research, Collins learned that her ancestors lived in Spitalfields, east London, a neighborhood where several of the Ripper’s victims were murdered. “No-one knows who the Ripper was, but we lived next door to where a lot of his victims were being killed,” Collins said. “You just don’t know, could it be my family? Could he be alluded to be my family? It’s just bizarre, isn’t it?”

The discovery came as Collins traced her lineage back to Foulness Island and later to Dorset Street in Spitalfields. The show also revealed a long-lost relative of Collins’ mother, who lives just 20 minutes away. “It was unbelievable to have lived so close to my mother’s cousin,” Collins shared. “It must’ve been one of those zombie apocalypse moments for them.”

Beyond the Ripper connection, the show also shed light on a painful family secret: Collins’ grandmother did not abandon her mother, Joan. Historians revealed that Joan was likely taken away from her mother by the state. “It was very overwhelming, very, very bizarre, to find out all this stuff we’ve not known for so long,” Collins admitted. “It’s been very cathartic putting my mum’s mind at rest about so much stuff that was unanswered for her.”

Collins, who has a strong connection to Essex, expressed her excitement at discovering her roots. “To be confirmed as a fully-fledged East-Ender that went out to Essex can only mean one thing – I need a starring role in Eastenders,” she declared.

“Who Do You Think You Are?” featuring Gemma Collins will air on BBC on September 26th.

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