Gemma Collins has faced backlash online by allowing her new TV series Diva On Lockdown to continue, despite government guidelines begging people to stick to the new social distancing rules amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The show, which is set to replace the TOWIE star’s planned upcoming series of Diva Forever, was only cooked-up at the last minute to help keep Gemma’s reality TV dreams a reality.
A source said: “People are being told to stay inside except for all essential travel, or if you can’t work from home.
“Arguably, the crew cannot work from home so what else are they to do?
“But neighbours and locals have raised eyebrows about people traipsing to sit outside Gemma’s house to film a reality show when people are dying from this crisis.
Gemma Collins is filming her new TV show Diva On Lockdown (Image: Gemma Collins/Instagram)
“There’s a feeling among some that it’s bosses putting profits over health.”
The Sun report that while producers and crew working on the show are now not entering her Essex home, ITV workers were inside the plush property to transform the house with cameras and “disinfecting the gear”.
Crew are also said to be making the trip to a production truck which is based on Gemma’s farmland.
An ITV spokeswoman said: “Safeguarding the well-being of everyone involved in our shows is our priority.
People have hit out at the star’s new show online (Image: WP Pix / SplashNews.com)
“Careful new ways have been established to allow new programmes to be created to help keep viewers entertained at this difficult time, whilst following government guidelines around social distancing and the safety of all involved.
“With the appropriate guidance, new measures have been put in place covering production practice for all crew and Gemma and the filming of Diva will continue over the coming weeks.”
Revealing how the show is being put together by social distancing, Gemma added: “I’m being filmed and I’ve also got the producers speaking in my ear so if it sounds as if I’m talking to myself…well maybe sometimes I am.
ITV workers were inside the plush property to transform the house with cameras and “disinfecting the gear” (Image: Getty Images Europe)
“I can guarantee though, what you see will definitely be 100% authentic GC.
“I hope it cheers you up in these difficult times.”
Some fans were annoyed online though.
One twitter user blasted: “ITV2 trailer for an upcoming show called ‘Gemma Collins: Diva on lockdown’… How distasteful can you possibly get?”
While another added: “I’ve just seen a trailer for an inexplicable reality tv “show” called Diva In Lockdown – in which viewers can gawp at how Gemma Collins is coping. As if this situation wasn’t depressing enough as it is.”
A third chimed in: “Gemma Collins supporting the NHS by continuing to film her reality show when the country is in lockdown. #hypocrisy.”
However, one fans gushed: “Gemma Collins having a diva on lockdown show is the best thing I’ve heard all week.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
