Gemma Collins’ father "controls all her money."
The ‘Only Way is Essex’ star – who has her own boutique, clothing line and is regularly asked to do public appearances – has admitted her dad Alan is very cautious about her squandering her cash so he keeps a tab on what she buys.
Speaking to the Daily Mail newspaper’s YOU magazine, she said: "My dad controls all my money. Seriously, I have to ask him if I want to upgrade my car.
"I’ve just sold my bespoke £87,000 Range Rover because it just felt too materialistic and I have nothing to prove. I’m fine with a BMW 6 Series.
"When we went to Tenerife I took out 250 euros from a cashpoint and he kept asking me what I was spending it on.
"I bought a skirt and top for 60 euros and he kept fussing about whether I actually needed them. But I know he has my best interests at heart."
But, although she is "quite content with the money she’s made" thus far, the 36-year-old reality TV star believes she’s very down to earth and doesn’t let it go to her head.
She explained: "Every so often I need to go back home, sweep my floors and put a pile of washing into the machine.
"People think I’m on a chaise longue sipping champagne all day but I’m just Gemma in her PJs watching EastEnders like the rest of the country.
"People see me in Poundstretcher in Romford and I know they’re thinking: ‘She’s bloody loaded, what is she doing here?’ But I love a bargain, me.
"If all this ended tomorrow I’d be quite content with the money I’ve made and I’d get a market stall for the banter."
However, although she’s got a very successful career, Gemma is desperate to find love and has admitted her "only regret in life" is dating bad boys in the past.
She said: "My only regret in life is all the bad boys I’ve ever met. I gave so much and received so little in return. I have never been out with a nice guy – I made the mistake of wanting the buzz they brought and I’ve been out with too many men who treated me like a meal ticket and abused me physically and emotionally.
"I want a partner who is going to love me for me. I can be intimidating, because I’ve got more money than many men in the UK, but there must be someone out there."
Gemma Collins’ dad controls her money
