Gemma Collins has opened up about the discrimination she faces from the public.
In excerpts released ahead of her interview with Piers Morgan, the former TOWIE star revealed one shocking example of abuse she suffered while she was having lunch with her mum.
"It was so embarrassing once, I was taking my mum for lunch, a van pulled up and they started abusing me," she says in Piers Morgan Life Stories.
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"It wasn't for me, I felt so hurt that that happened in front of my mum. 'Look at you stuffing your face.' Again, I'm used to it but I didn't want my mum to hear it."
When the TV host asked Gemma what they specifically called her, she replies: "A fat c***."
The 40-year-old struggled to hold back tears as she recounted the confronting moment.
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Even though she tried to wave it off when it happened, she could see her mum Joan was upset by the remarks.
But that one occasion is emblematic of a much larger problem that Gemma faces every day with trolls criticising her on social media.
"You don't forget it but that's the downside of fame. I'm a lot more comfortable now in my own skin," she said.
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Gemma was defended by Piers on Good Morning Britain earlier this week when he previewed the Life Stories interview, discussing some of the vile abuse she has received.
"She's a reality TV star who plays up to her character - very much like Katie Price," Piers said.
"But no one should have to put up with people on Twitter spewing the kind of vile abuse and death threats she gets.
"When I announced she was on Life Stories, out it poured, people saying 'I hope you die'."
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The Life Stories episode featuring Gemma Collins will debut on ITV on Thursday night (12 February) at 9pm.
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