'This is like an Oscar': Gemma Collins named most iconic TOWiE star

Gemma Collins has compared being named "the most iconic cast member" on \'The Only Way is Essex\' to winning an Oscar.

The 39-year-old star - who first appeared on the ITVBe reality series in 2011 - was voted by viewers as the favourite cast member of the past 10 years.

And in true GC style, she appeared in a video from a yacht on holiday to react to the news.

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The official \'TOWIE\' Twitter page wrote: "As voted by YOU! Gemma Collins has been voted the most iconic cast member of the decade #TOWIE

@missgemcollins (sic)", to which she replied: "Thank you to all the TOWIE fans who\'s voted me N01 ICON thank you TOWIE it\'s been emosh (sic)"

In the accompanying clip, Gemma said: "Darlings! It\'s me, the GC, on my yacht! You know, this is like an Oscar. I just got the \'most iconic award\'.

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Thank you. Because if it wasn\'t for everyone believing me, I wouldn\'t be here today. But to be fair guys, we all knew I was an icon."

Since starring on \'TOWIE\', Gemma has gone on to have one of the most successful careers in reality television, having appeared on \'Celebrity Big Brother\', \'I\'m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!\', \'Celebs Go Dating\' and \'Dancing on Ice\'.

And last year, Gemma launched her own series, \'Gemma Collins: Diva Forever\' in April 2019, which returned amid the coronavirus pandemic for a lockdown special this summer.

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Meanwhile, it was just announced that Gemma is set to release her first full clothing line.

The blonde beauty found fashion success with her meme-inspired T-shirt and sweater collection for online fast fashion giant In The Style, and she\'s now set to team up with the retailer for another range.

Gemma has negotiated a £500,000 deal with In The Style to design the line.

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A source said: "She\'s made a mint for In The Style - her meme range was a sell-out and stars like Little Mix\'s Jade Thirlwall were seen wearing her designs.

"They were desperate to get her on board for a whole collection and Gemma signed without hesitation.

"She flew to Greece to shoot images and fans will get to see it all, as she\'s filming the next run of her show \'Diva\' while out there."