The GC has accumulated a dedicated, loyal fan-base throughout her time in the spotlight, all of whom adore her sassy, no-nonsense remarks and diva attitude.
Famed for bringing some of the most iconic one-liners and bombshell plot-lines to The Only Way Is Essex in its hay-day, Gemma Collins is undoubtedly one of biggest names on the UK reality scene.
As the majority of big-name stars know, however, that with huge fame comes colossal vulnerability, with horrific trolling being commonplace in their daily lives.
And online slander is something that 43-year-old Gemma has been used to since first sky-rocketing into spotlight in 2011.
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Despite being regularly subjected to nasty comments surrounding her weight changes, extravagant lifestyle and famously carefree nature, Gemma has today hit out against her haters - but has been sure to take the moral high ground.
As opposed to slamming them in a name-hurling outburst, the on-screen star has actually thanked her trolls, claiming their comments have helped her to rise above the hate.
Sharing a jaw-dropping swimsuit snap from her ongoing birthday trip to the Maldives, the Essex icon captioned it: "43 TODAY NAMASTE".
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Gemma went on: "NO REGRETS - come to the Maldives to re connect with nature and ground myself for the year ahead - and to continue my soul purpose -"And thank you to all the rejection the nos the your not good enoughs or people looking down their nose at me cause I was a reality star we all start somewhere and I’m proud to be a reality star !"
The ex-I'm A Celeb star continued her statement by comparing herself to Jesus, explaining that he was 'born in a stable and look what he did !!!!'.
And in true, refreshingly honest GC style, she signed off her lengthy statement by telling her followers that they'd funded her plush South Asian birthday trip.
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"Your the ones who paid for my Maldives trip !!! X cause it made me stronger more determined and more focused," she teased.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME [Prosecco emojis]".
Since posting her straight-talking message to trolls on Instagram, thousands of her followers have heaped praise onto the star for her nonchalant response.
"Happy birthday beautiful Gemma. Thank you for all you do and being such a bright light in this old world of ours," one fan penned in the comments.
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A second gushed: "You tell them Gemma happy birthday - queen have an awesome day hope you get spoiled"
"Happy Birthday Gem - Be proud of yourself you are amazing person - You have our love no matter who you are," a third went on.
Topics: Gemma Collins, Towie, TV And Film, Celebrity, Social media
Rhianna Benson