Towie pays tribute to Gemma Collins’ late mum Joan four days after her passing

ON Sunday night, Towie paid tribute to Gemma Collins’ late mum Joan at the end of the programme. The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma, 45, announced earlier this week that her beloved mum Joan, 70, had passed away. Towie paid tribute to Gemma Collins’ late mum Joan Credit: ITV Joan first appeared the show during series five in April 2012 Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk Joan, who featured in several episodes of Towie alongside her daughter, has now been remembered by the hit ITV2 programme. On Sunday, after the first episode from the all new series aired, a black screen with white writing appeared after the credits rolled. Sign up for the TV newsletter Thank you! The episode was dedicated to Joan, with the screen reading: “In Memory of Joan Collins. 1955 – 2026.” Gemma revealed the heartbreaking news of Joan’s death on Wednesday when she shared a black and white photo of her mum in her younger years. Gemma’s mum appeared on Towie occasionally Credit: Youtube/@OfficialTOWIE Gemma and her mum were incredibly close Credit: Shutterstock Editorial “My heart is shattered into a million pieces,” she began in the caption, “today our beautiful mum passed away peacefully surrounded by LOVE.” She then penned a touching note to her beloved mum, writing: “Today, every piece of my heart left with you. “No words will ever be enough to thank you for loving me, guiding me, and being my mum. You gave me life, you gave me strength, and you gave me memories that I will carry for every day I have left.” She went on to add: “Thank you for every hug, every sacrifice, every lesson, and every moment. Most read in TV “Thank you for being my mum. It has been the greatest privilege to be your daughter. “Until we meet again, I will carry your love with me. I will look for you in the sunrise, in the flowers, in the birds singing, and in the quiet moments when I need you most. “Sleep peacefully, my beautiful Mum what gives me comfort was today we was all with you. “You will be loved forever, missed every single day, and never, ever forgotten. Gemma.” Just six months before her hospital visit at the start of June, Joan was hospitalised with pneumonia again. She spent five weeks under medical care before Christmas, with Gemma describing the time as the ‘toughest of her life’. Joan had been rushed to the hospital several times in recent years. Comment now