Latest news with #threateningletter


Daily Mail
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Gemma Collins 'calls in police and beefs up security' as terrified star is sent 'abusive and menacing' letter to her home
Gemma Collins has been left 'terrified' and forced to call in police after she received an 'abusive and menacing' letter to her home. The reality star, 44, is said to be petrified and has beefed up her personal security as a result of the ordeal. A source close to Gemma told The Sun how the man behind the twisted letter detailed his strong dislike for her and talked about tracking her down. They said: 'Gemma was left shaken and very scared for her safety after she received a threatening and abusive letter from a man expressing his extreme dislike for her and using menacing language. 'It was really nasty and made reference to tracking her down, so she called the police straight away. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. 'It was alarming that this man knew her home address, but she already upped security and has round-the-clock guard dogs and has cameras onsite. 'She is always incredibly friendly with all her fans and happy to stop for pictures and a chat so to have someone send such an unpleasant letter has really shocked her.' The insider shared that there is now an ongoing investigation and Gemma is 'grateful' to the police for taking the matter seriously. The added: 'She thought about what had happened to Holly Willoughby and her kidnap threat ordeal so didn't want to take any chances.' MailOnline has contacted a representative for Gemma for comment. Gemma, who was a car dealer before shooting to fame when she landed a role on ITV's The Only Way Is Essex, previously spoke about her experience with stalking. She told how she's had 'scary' people turn up at her shop in Essex and send her terrifying letters. She told how it 'played havoc on her mind' and was the reason she stepped away from her front of house work at her boutique in Brentwood. Appearing on the Daily Mail's Everything I Know About Me Podcast, Gemma said: 'No one would believe the bl**dy crap I've had to deal with. 'I've had a woman stalker that wrote me a letter in white gloves and wanted to kill me. 'You know, people would wish me dead. I'd get all sorts turn up at the shop. Weird. People are weird. And that's why in a way I came away from my shop in the end.' In 2019, Gemma was forced to move out of her home in Essex over stalking fears, with removal vans being pictured at the property at the time. She had been stalked by a man that previously fat-shamed her. It comes after Gemma recently told fans how she had been struck down with pneumonia as she explained her absence from social media. Gemma explained that her condition had been leaving her breathless 'really quickly' but due to medics diagnosing it as viral, antibiotics would be ineffective. She told The Mirror: 'It's shocking, I've had it now for over three weeks and I had steroids given to me by my doctor. It was DJ Fat Tony's wedding and I had to take them to get through that,' 'But I'm off them now and the sickness is really kicking back in. It's so frustrating because I normally have so much energy and I'm always loving life, but now I get really breathless really quickly and I feel like I'm dying.' Pneumonia is inflammation of the lungs, usually caused by an infection. Most people get better in two to four weeks, but babies, older people, and people with heart or lung conditions are at risk of getting seriously ill and may need treatment in hospital. Taking to her Stories Gemma shared snaps as she underwent X-rays while praising medical staff for their care. She wrote: 'Thank you to all the amazing doctors helping me your real life angels'. Announcing the news of her condition on Wednesday, Gemma shared a photo of herself in bed looking poorly in bed. She wrote: 'Hey guys sorry been quiet i have Pneumonia. I'm not as fast or on it as I usually am on the daily. 'I am still honouring my work commitments which is taking every bit of energy I have but will be back entertaining you all soon.' On her Story she added an update as she showed she was on a drip and had been visited by a doctor. One post that showed a drip in her arm read: 'I'm having to take it easy which is not like me very slow and get so out of breath and tired so quick.' WHAT IS PNEUMONIA? Pneumonia is a type of chest infection that affects the tiny air sacs in the lungs. The condition causes these sacs to be become inflammed and fill with fluid, making it harder to breathe. Pneumonia is caused by bacteria or viruses, with the most common being Streptococcus pneumoniae. It affects between five and 11 out of every 1,000 adults every year in the UK. Anyone can suffer from pneumonia, however, at-risk groups include: Babies and young children People over 65 Those with long-term heart, lung or kidney disease People with cancer, particularly those having chemotherapy Smokers Those on drugs that suppress their immune systems Antibiotics or mechanical ventilator use in hospitals also raise the risk. Symptoms include Coughing up mucus Fever Chest pain Loss of appetite Fatigue In severe cases, sufferers may cough up blood, vomit or have a rapid heart rate. Treatment is usually antibiotics, which may need to be given intravenously in hospital in severe cases.


The Sun
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Terrified Gemma Collins calls cops & beefs up security after man sends ‘nasty and menacing' letter to her home
SHOCKED TV star Gemma Collins rang cops in terror after getting an 'abusive and menacing' letter at her home. The former Towie star, 44, is said to be petrified by the sender's hate note. 4 Fearing a kidnap plot like the one targeting TV presenter Holly Willoughby, Gemma phoned officers who then visited her home in the Essex countryside. The worried star, who has been battling pneumonia, has since beefed up security with 24-hour guard dog patrols. Family and friends have kept her company. A source told The Sun on Sunday: 'Gemma was left shaken and very scared for her safety after she received a threatening and abusive letter from a man expressing his extreme dislike for her and using menacing language. 'It was really nasty and made reference to tracking her down, so she called the police straight away. 'It was alarming that this man knew her home address, but she already upped security and has round-the-clock guard dogs and has cameras onsite. 'She is always incredibly friendly with all her fans and happy to stop for pictures and a chat so to have someone send such an unpleasant letter has really shocked her. 'She was very grateful to the police, who are taking it very seriously and have given her practical advice on how to handle herself. It is an ongoing investigation. 'She thought about what had happened to Holly Willoughby and her kidnap threat ordeal so didn't want to take any chances. 'Police are confident they are going to track down the culprit.' Gemma, who lives with businessman fiancé Rami Hawash, told a podcast in May how she has had multiple stalkers over the years. They had threatened to kill her and sent 'terrifying' letters to her boutique in Brentwood. Watch hilarious moment Gemma Collins launches bid to become a DAME as she sets sights on royal nod She told how it 'played havoc on her mind' and was the reason she stepped away from front of house work. Gemma said: 'No one would believe the bl**dy crap I've had to deal with. I've had a woman stalker who wrote me a letter in white gloves and wanted to kill me. You know, people would wish me dead. I'd get all sorts at the shop. Weird. 'People are weird. And that's why in a way I came away from my shop in the end.' In 2019 The Sun revealed she had called in police over fears she was being hounded by a stalker. Gemma claimed she had seen a man who previously verbally abused her outside her home over six days. The scares have even made her consider a move away from Essex. 4 Gemma, a contestant in 2019's Dancing On Ice, has previously spoken of her love of the countryside, saying: 'The only way is the Cotswolds for me.' Earlier this month she revealed her battle with pneumonia, showing pictures of herself with a drip in her arm. She said: 'It's shocking, I've had it for over three weeks and had steroids given to me by my doctor. 'It was DJ Fat Tony's wedding and I had to take them to get through that. But I'm off them now and the sickness is kicking back in. 'It's so frustrating because I normally have so much energy and I'm always loving life. But now I get really breathless really quickly and I feel like I'm dying.' Last week it emerged she is in talks to join I'm A Celebrity: All Stars in South Africa — despite quitting the Australian jungle after just three days of the main series in 2014. Essex Police said they were aware of Gemma's report. 4