Gemma Collins forced to apologise after being slammed for ‘disgusting’ move in London restaurant
GEMMA Collins has been forced to apologise after being slammed for a “disgusting” move in a London restaurant.
The reality star, 43, was barked at earlier this year by fans after filming her pooch eating a plate of dinner in an upmarket restaurant.
The GC caused outrage after posting the footage of her whippet gobbling up scrambled eggs and sausage in the posh eatery.
Gemma’s pooch Blue didn’t hold back while sitting in between both her and one half of Irish pop band Jedward.
I didn’t mean to cause any harm whatsoever.
Gemma Collins
She can be heard saying: “Are you a Hampstead dog now? Are you my Hampstead doggie?”
Gemma, meanwhile, is sitting in front of a plate of smoked salmon, avocado and scrambled eggs.
In another picture posted onto her Instagram Stories, Blue appears poised to tuck straight into a green matcha tea.
But although Gemma is smitten, not all fans found the video cute.
She had captioned the short clip: “The LOVE for dogs 
in Hampstead is next level the joy and happiness they bring to our lives 
“Why doesn’t everywhere become more doggie friendly this would be fabulous 
please let me know all the dog friendly places please.”
But the video received a HUGE amount of backlash and now Gemma has spoken out about it.
Speaking in her brand new podcast, she said: “I didn’t realise I caused a bit of controversy.
“I mean, I wasn’t thinking I love my dog so much, but I went to a dog friendly restaurant, but I do realise that dogs obviously can’t eat off the same plate as you.
“I just couldn’t resist blue having some scrambled eggs off my plate.I love the dog more than myself. It’s taken over my whole life. I’m officially a dog mum.
“Anyway, it caused a massive, massive storm. And you know, I’ve got to say I do apologise. Yeah, I shouldn’t let the dog eat off my plate in the restaurant.
She went on: “It was a bit over the top, but I just love my dog. And, you know, sorry to anyone that was offended.
“I didn’t mean to cause any harm whatsoever. I’ve been spending loads of time in Hampstead because it is a dog friendly place and you’re hearing it here first.
“John and Edward are officially my dog fathers. So if anything happens to me, they will get the dog.”
The video was filmed as she house-hunted in London’s multi-million pound neighbourhood Hampstead.
However, the backlash was full on, with one follower saying: “OMG Gemma I am really sorry but that’s disgusting. It’s so unhygienic 
.”
Another added: “That’s disgusting, I would never let my dog do that to my own plates, never mind in public!”
A third told Gemma: “And to think even though that plate is washed why would you want to use it after a dog has licked it all over (disgusting).”
While someone else said: “Yuk! That’s gross!”
Gemma has owned her beloved whippet since September last year.
At the time, she excitedly told fans she is now an “official dog mummy”.
The arrival of Blue came two months after the sad death of her family’s pooch, who had been in her life for 15 years.
At the time, Gemma said: “Beyond heartbroken today, our beautiful Lucia sadly had to be put down. Nothing could save her, she was the best dog ever to our family for the last 15 years, my dad’s best friend.”
In November, Gemma proved just what a pampered pooch Blue has already become by sharing a picture of him curled up on a huge bed at five-star London hotel The Savoy.
Despite the criticism, Gemma’s video of Blue in the restaurant has also warmed the hearts of plenty of her other fans.
Hitting back, one defended her, saying: “Oh my goodness! That is amazing. Our local pub is very dog friendly and Duke is having his 14th birthday party there on Sunday. Dogs make the world a better place.”
Another added: “I wish more places were dog friendly, I love going on little adventures with my bunny.”
Others, meanwhile, gave Gemma recommendations of other dog-friendly eateries.
