Gemma Collins pulls out of Chicago tour a week before opening night

OHMYGOSSIP — Gemma Collins has pulled out of the UK tour of ‘Chicago’.
The 41-year-old reality star had been poised to make her musical theatre debut as prison matron Mama Morton in the classic musical when the show arrives at Sunderland Empire next Tuesday (31.05.22) but has been left “inconsolable” after being forced to pull out because of a knee injury she sustained on ‘Dancing on Ice’ back in 2019.
A source told The Sun: “Gemma is absolutely gutted she’s had to pull out of ‘Chicago’. She has been in floods of tears and is inconsolable. Gemma realised her knee wouldn’t stand up to the gruelling schedule She had a bad fall on ‘Dancing On Ice’ and an injury to her knee then started to flare up, as it has done before from time to time.'”
The ‘Diva Forever’ star – who famously lost control of her balance while competing on the ITV skating show and crashed face-down into the rink – is said to have known the part so well that directors let her “cut down” on rehearsals but one “last-ditch” attempt at sorting her knee problem led her to quitting the show altogether.
The source added: “She knew her lines off by heart and was even told she could cut down rehearsals because she knew the part inside out. She had an X ray two weeks ago and then went to see someone about her knee last Friday which meant she missed a rehearsal. It was a last-ditch attempt to gauge the problem before the opening night. However she has had to admit defeat and accept the inevitable. She is still able to walk around but dancing, singing and acting in 48 performances over six weeks with all the travelling stuck in a car meant she wouldn’t be able to give the part her all.”
Producers of the musical also confirmed Gemma’s exit from the production and wished her all the best for the future.
A statement read: “Gemma Collins’ management have informed the producers of Chicago she will no longer be appearing in the UK Tour of the show due to a knee injury. The Producers of Chicago wish Gemma all the best for the future.”
‘Chicago’ – which tells the story of two women who end up in jail accused of murder and become tabloid sensations – has been on tour throughout the UK for almost a year and also stars ex-‘Coronation Street’ actress Faye Brookes.
While there is no word on who will replace Gemma in the role that was made famous by Queen Latifah in the Oscar-winning film, it is currently being played by 80s pop singer Sinitta, who is due to complete her run in the show later this week.

Source: VacationHunter.Online