Multi-millionaire Gemma Collins has shared the "real reason" she’s refusing to buy Christmas presents this year. The 42-year-old - who shot to fame on ITV The Only Way is Essex - also had something to say about people eating turkey ahead of the festive season this year.

“I’m not interested in Christmas this year, I won’t be buying anyone gifts and have asked people not to buy them for me. We have all got enough," the former ITV Dancing on Ice and I'm A Celebrity star said. Explaining why, the reality TV favourite told new!: “There are a few reasons.

"Firstly, I don’t like the culling of turkeys, then I’m also a humanitarian and don’t like what’s going on in the world at the minute. Finally, I’m fortunate enough that it's Christmas every day for me, it’s like it’s my birthday every day." Gemma added to the magazine: "So it’s about giving back.”

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The star added: “People out there are starving and we can’t just ignore it. The real message about Christmas is spending quality time with your family and appreciating these moments." She went on, telling the publication: People need to learn the art of having nothing and being happy.”

“My vegan journey to sum it up has been slow and gradual," Gemma said of her veganism. The star, who is known as the GC among her fanbase, went on: "However, when you have a product like VFC it makes every day and every mealtime just simply amazing.” Gemma has also stated that she’s already “sick” of seeing people with their decorations up already.

She sniped: “Let’s just live for November.” From 2011 to 2019, she appeared on the ITVBe reality series The Only Way Is Essex. In 2018, she began starring in her own reality franchise, Gemma Collins: Diva, and the following year, she began hosting a podcast on BBC Sounds.