Gemma Collins signs big-money deal to be the face of Walkers Crisps as she tells pals she ‘loves a grab bag’

SHE’S become an advertiser’s dream, getting hired to flog everything from condoms and plane tickets to swimwear and burgers.

Now Gemma Collins has landed one of her most high-profile and lucrative gigs to date — appearing in a Walkers Crisps campaign.

The sought-after role was once synonymous with Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker, who was the face of the snack firm from 1995 onwards, making more than 150 commercials.

But since former England striker Gary took on more of a supporting role with Walkers, The GC has joined the ranks of celebrities fronting their ads.

An advertising insider said: “Gemma is so sought after by companies because she’s both glamorous and down to earth, and people really seem to connect with her.

“That’s a perfect combination for big brands who need to appeal to a mass market — just like Gary used to for more than two decades.”

The insider added: “The adverts are guaranteed to be some hilarious take on The GC’s big personality — and she’s a self-confessed fan of grab bags.”

Gemma’s roster of campaigns since she left her full-time role on ITVBe’s The Only Way Is Essex is already impressive.

She has worked with airline Wizz Air, fast food giant Burger King, condom-maker Durex and clothing brand Boohoo, to name just a few.

Gemma’s role with Walkers puts her in good company as she will follow in the footsteps of stars like I’m A Celebrity winner Emily Atack and telly host Paddy McGuinness.

And who can forget the hilarious Christmas advert for the crisp manufacturer that featured legendary singer Mariah Carey.

I still reckon Gemma will be a bigger diva than Mariah in the adverts — and that’s just how we like her.

Fans pan sexless Friends

A LIBERAL helping of sex can turn a humdrum drama into a hit. Perhaps BBC Three needs a reminder after its new Sally Rooney adaptation, Conversation With Friends, was branded “dull” by viewers.

There were just seven minutes of action in the show, which stars Taylor Swift‘s boyfriend Joe Alwyn and Alison Oliver, compared with 41 in its first Rooney adaptation, Normal People.

In the new series, Joe plays lacklustre Irish actor Nick Conway, who embarks on an affair with a 21-year-old student named Frances while her best friend Bobbi grows close to his wife Melissa.

One fan wrote: “The sex scenes in Conversations With Friends would make u never want to have sex again.”

Mirror’s back for series six

BLACK Mirror will be back for a sixth series.

A question mark hung over whether the dystopian drama would ever return after creator Charlie Brooker told Radio Times in 2020 that he didn’t know “what stomach there would be” for the show.

But three years since it last aired in June 2019, casting is said to be under way for a fresh instalment.

Variety reported that the new series would have more episodes than series five, which only had three, and that they would be “more cinematic in scope”.

Black Mirror began life on Channel 4, but hit new heights when it moved to Netflix for its third series, along with the fourth and fifth that followed.

Huge stars like Miley Cyrus, Bryce Dallas Howard and Daniel Kaluuya have featured – so who knows which A-Listers will make the bill this time.

Netflix nix slim Penny

WHEN Nicola Coughlan announced this week that Bridgerton would skip forward to Colin and Penelope’s story, fans were unconvinced.

So I imagine they will be peeved to discover that woke bosses at Netflix plan to make further changes to the plot.

Julia Quinn’s 2002 novel Romancing Mr Bridgerton sees Penelope lose weight and undergo a makeover.

But when asked if that storyline would feature in the third series, showrunner Chris Van Dusen explained: “We think that Penelope is beautiful, and I don’t think it’s really a part of her story.”

And he added: “Her being a wallflower in our show I think is about her level of confidence more than it is about her outward appearance.”

I suppose that’s a theme more suited to audiences these days.

Murders in 25-year special

MIDSOMER Murders is as quintessentially British as a Sunday roast or cup of tea.

This year marks the gentle crime drama’s 25th year on the box – so ITV has prepared a special documentary to celebrate.

Midsomer Murders – 25 Years Of Mayhem will shine a light on the fictional English county, looking at the many mysterious crimes and murders that have befallen it.

John Nettles, Nick Hendrix, Neil Dudgeon, Jane Wymark, and Daniel Casey are lined up to feature in the show, set to air at the end of May.

And cameras will take viewers behind the scenes of the filming of series 23, as well as on a trip to look at some of the famous locations.