Dancing On Ice's Gemma Collins is burning "at least" an extra 1,000 calories every time she rehearses for the show.

Gemma Collins

Gemma Collins

The 37-year-old reality TV star is training for two hours, three times a week, for the popular ITV programme, and her partner, pro skater Matt Evers, admits she has come a long way since her initial 15-minute sessions on the ice.

Matt told The Sun Online: "Gemma has never really been exposed to going to the gym, that's not what her passion is.

"So when we first started out we went from 15 minutes on the ice, before having to sit down and have a break. Each week we would build it up and after five weeks I held her hands and said, 'Babes you do realise you've done two hours straight.'

"Now, she is doing two hours training three times a week, burning at least 1,000 calories a time. Then there's a full studio day on Sunday and choreography on Monday which is even longer.

"She is really adamant about giving the curvier girls the motivation to get up off that couch for a little bit and just get moving. She wants to be a role model for that."

As a result of her training, Gemma has slimmed down so much that the 'Dancing on Ice' costume department have had to take four inches off the waist of her glitzy costumes.

Matt explained: "The confidence that she has since she has been losing the weight - she feels sexier.

"Last week at the costume fittings the wardrobe team had to take off four inches from her waist from where she was before Christmas. It's just incredible."