Gemma Collins Explores Family History on BBC

Gemma Collins' emotional journey on the BBC genealogy series 'Who Do You Think You Are?' left fans in tears as she delved into her family history, particularly her mother's troubled past. In the episode, Gemma learns that her mother Joan was fostered at two weeks old and that her grandmother, also named Joan, faced significant mental health challenges, including multiple psychiatric hospitalizations and a controversial diagnosis of schizophrenia. Dr. Claire Hilton suggests societal pressures may have influenced her grandmother's decisions, including giving up her child. The episode also features Gemma's belief that she may be related to Jack the Ripper through her great-grandfather, William Williams. As the family history unfolds, both Gemma and her mother confront painful truths about abandonment and loss, leading to emotional reflections on their pasts. The episode highlights the complexities of family dynamics and the impact of historical societal issues on personal narratives.