Reality television personality Gemma Collins has made a heartfelt public appeal, asking her followers to pray for her mother Joan who is 'really unwell' in hospital after being diagnosed with pneumonia.
A Daughter's Emotional Plea
The 44-year-old TOWIE star described the past week as 'the toughest week of my life' in a candid Instagram post. She shared a poignant photograph of herself hugging her 81-year-old mother, who was seen wrapped in blankets and lying in a hospital bed at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.
Gemma expressed her profound gratitude to the NHS doctors and nurses for the care her mother is receiving. Her emotional message continued, stating: 'Mum has phenomena [pneumonia] and is really struggling please if you believe in prayer like me please say a prayer for mum to get well asap.'
A History of Health Struggles
This recent hospitalisation is not the first serious health scare for Joan Collins. In a distressing incident last May, she was rushed to hospital after she 'stopped breathing'. This followed a previous breast cancer diagnosis and a mystery illness the year before.
At that time, Gemma was warned by medics to 'prepare for the worst', but her mother thankfully recovered. The mother and daughter share an incredibly close bond, with Gemma frequently sharing updates about her mother's health with her social media audience.
In a previous health revelation, it emerged that Joan had kept her breast cancer diagnosis a secret from her daughter until she had received the all-clear, revealing the news over the phone while Gemma was in the back of a taxi.
Support from Friends and Family
In her post, Gemma also took a moment to thank her closest friends and family for their support, as well as those who have visited her mother in hospital to show their love.
She also revealed a small personal comfort, sharing that playing music by Madonna, an artist they have 'always have loved', was helping to give her a lift during this challenging time.
Well-wishes quickly flooded the comments section of her post. Close friends Jedward wrote: 'Happy we got to say some healing prayers together with her she's going to get through this she's a fighter.' Support also came from fellow celebrities Ashley Roberts and Chloe Sims, who sent their love and prayers.
While Gemma has not yet issued a further update on her mother's condition since the pneumonia hospitalisation, she did share a video showing that friends had sent round food to support her, highlighting the community rallying around the family.
