Gemma Collins expressed her gratitude to fans for their support following the death of her mother, Joan. The former reality television star, known for her role on The Only Way Is Essex, announced the loss on Thursday, revealing that her mother had succumbed to pneumonia.

In an emotional post, Collins described her heart as “shattered into a million pieces” and shared an image depicting a small shrine with a photograph of herself and her mother, surrounded by flowers, candles, and a statue of the Virgin Mary. She quoted the phrase, “Grief is the price we pay for love,” to convey the depth of her mourning.

Collins thanked her followers for the outpouring of messages, prayers, and kind words, noting that she had read all of them. “Thank you all for holding me up with your kindness. It means more than you’ll ever know,” she wrote, acknowledging the comfort their support has provided during this difficult time.