Gemma Collins has quit her BBC podcast because they "can't afford her."
Gemma Collins is taking her podcast away from the BBC for a much more lucrative deal
The 41-year-old reality star had fronted 'The Gemma Collins Podcast' - as well as dating advice spinoff 'Love Lounge' - on BBC Sounds since 2019 but has now reportedly left the BBC in favour of a much more lucrative commercial deal.
A source said: "She has quit the BBC because she managed to negotiate an amazing deal to take her podcast elsewhere. Gemma is getting paid a figure that the BBC just couldn't afford and will be getting far more editorial control."
The insider went on to explain that while the former 'TOWIE' star - who is said to be receiving a salary worth five times what she was being paid originally - still "loves" the BBC and is grateful towards them, the new deal will help with career progression and teased that the podcast will be even more "outrageous" when it returns later this year.
The source told The Sun newspaper's TVBiz column: "Gemma loves the BBC and knows they helped get her podcast to where she is now. But this move will help keep her career moving. She wants to be even more outrageous when the podcast
returns later in the year."
During its three-year run on BBC Sounds, 'The Gemma Collins Podcast' pulled in the largest audience amongst the under 35s on the platform, and listeners tuned in to hear the 'Diva Forever' star's gossip from her weekly antics but also heard her open up about tougher subjects, such as her struggle to conceive a baby with fiance Rami Hawash.
Speaking on the podcast in October 2021, Gemma said: "I really want a baby now. I've not been using any contraception. I can't get pregnant so I'm gonna have to be brave now and look into this myself."
Gemma also interacted regularly with her fans, dishing out advice on a weekly basis during the 'Ask Gemma' segment, and explored a range of topics such as gardening, aliens, and animal welfare with field experts.
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