Gemma Collins is targeting a place on Strictly Come Dancing’s 2024 line-up and believes she can become the dance show’s first ever plus-size winner.

The former TOWIE star, 43, is believed to be under consideration by show bosses due to her strong links with the BBC, having recently filmed an episode of genealogy series Who Do You Think You Are? as well as fronting a podcast on BBC Sounds.

She has previously been a ratings hit on rival show Dancing On Ice and Gemma believes she could do likewise on Strictly, while also proving to doubters that larger competitors can succeed.

But she fears there will still be ‘outrage’ among the general public because of ‘misconceptions’ someone with her body type can’t move despite the fact Gemma, with a background in musical theatre, can do the splits. 

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Gemma said: ‘It would be the dream, who wouldn’t want to do Strictly? 

Gemma Collins is targeting a place on Strictly Come Dancing’s 2024 line-up and believes she can become the dance show’s first ever plus-size winner

The former TOWIE star is believed to be under consideration by bosses due to her strong links with the BBC, having recently filmed an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

She fears there will still be ‘outrage’ among the public because of ‘misconceptions’ someone with her body type can’t move despite the fact Gemma can do the splits 

‘I want to learn to do a Rumba and show everyone, these hips don’t lie as Shakira said. I can dance, honey… I love to dance… I could win. 

‘Listen, I still think there’s a lot of outrage if someone is overweight, they just presume that you can’t move. But I can do the splits, I can kick my leg, and shake my booty.

‘People would love it but it’s just whether they will give me a chance. If it’s meant to be, I believe in the universe. But I would never beg anyone to do their show, I know what I bring to the table. It’s only in their interest and benefit to book me.’

She added: ‘When I came off Dancing On Ice, they lost three million viewers.’

Gemma admits she’s in the perfect condition for a stint on the dance floor after recently dropping six dress sizes courtesy of a new lifestyle plan.

She’s embraced a ‘Fibre First’ diet created by health guru Steve Bennett which she claims has not only helped her shed weight, but also increase her energy and reversed her PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome) which will help her bid to have a baby with fiancé Rami Hawash, who she’s planning on marrying in 2026.

On her new diet, Gemma said: ‘Since working with Steve, he has reversed my PCOS, I no longer have it so I’m a step closer to having a baby.

‘I went to a fertility clinic and obviously, I was going to start my fertility journey in September but I’m not sure I need to do fertility now because hopefully I can do it naturally, plus my thyroid is doing better, I have no under active thyroid anymore. 

Gemma admits she’s in the perfect condition for a stint on the dance floor after recently dropping six dress sizes courtesy of a new lifestyle plan

She’s embraced a ‘Fibre First’ diet created by health guru Steve Bennett which she claims has not only helped her shed weight, but also increase her energy and reversed her PCOS

Gemma is going to start trying for a baby in September after focusing on her health and wellbeing and hopes she can conceive naturally

The TV star, who’s engaged to fiancé Rami Hawash, plans to marry the businessman in 2026 when the ‘planets align’ 

‘I have come off all my anti depression medication. People have bullied me about my weight, they bullied me about it so badly for years and it’s like, I can’t help it, I am active.

‘But now I don’t need to do vigorous exercise, this is the first diet where you’re adding and not subtracting. I’ve tried over the years and have come on and off of the tablets and for the first time, I don’t feel like I’m on a diet.’

Gemma says she’s axed her former favourite go-to foods including sandwiches and biscuits, due to their high sugar content, and no longer eats out at posh restaurants, which has seen her drop from a dress size 26 to a 20.

She added: ‘You won’t catch me eating cereal, you won’t even catch me having a sandwich, that’s like devil food. My go to everyday was a sandwich but it’s the worst possible thing you can eat. The bread itself is pure sugar. 

‘I’ve actually gone off chocolate and this is so weird, I walked down the biscuit aisle yesterday… Before, I would have picked up my usual, rich teas, a pack of Bourbons, it’s those things I have grown up with… but even the Belvita is s***.

‘There is no restaurant you could dangle a carrot in front of me today. I have eaten at pretty much all of them and I’m sick of it. The only restaurant I will eat in is Scott’s in London because I know I can have fish there, vegetables. 

‘I’m back in a 20, which is a massive achievement for me, although still a bigger size. I would like to get to a 14/16 and be a healthy size. I want to do it sustainably. I don’t want to go stick thin and start wearing crop tops.

‘It’s not secret I’m getting married in 2026 because that’s when the planets align and that’s a good year numerically to get married, I also have three weddings and a baby to fit in during that time.’ 

Gemma has teamed up with Steve Bennett (pictured), who has released new book The Fibre First Diet, and says his methods will help to eradicate chronic diseases

Steve, who’s a father of seven, transformed his physique after previously being overweight and fearing he would follow in his parent’s footsteps as diabetic

He was once overweight and unhealthy but through his research, adopted a fibre first diet, and stopped eating over-processed foods

Now she’s spending more time at home ‘feeding chickens and growing vegetables’, she’s also been able to watch Love Island, which this summer features her old TOWIE co-star Joey Essex.

The reality TV favourite, 33, entered as a ‘celebrity bombshell’ and Gemma saluted her old pal for signing up for the show without getting paid.

And she also forgives him for referring to her as ‘that girl’ during an exchange with fellow Islanders which was seen as a snub by fans.

She explained: ‘I’m sure the producers told him he wasn’t allowed to mention my name.

‘There have been memes about it but obviously I know how TV works and Joey wouldn’t be disrespectful to me.

‘Funnily enough, I was in Harrods shopping in the shoe department recently, and he was in there, I was looking for shoes for my partner, it was a TOWIE reunion in Harrods, and we both laughed saying, at least we aren’t still shopping on the market anymore. Although, I do still love shopping down at the market.

‘There’s no beef with Joey and I think he’s doing very well. Me and Rami are glued to it. It was a bit near the mark, the sex positions, I’ve learned about positions I didn’t even know existed.’

• Gemma is following health guru Steve Bennett’s revolutionary Fibre First diet, the first diet to add to what you eat
• Steve’s book The Fibre First Diet detailing how simply reordering your favourite foods effortlessly trims your waistline and wards off disease is out now