Former The Only Way Is Essex star Gemma Collins has said she was sent a note by a stalker who claimed to be at her mother’s funeral.

The 45-year-old thanked her friends and fans for “holding me up with kindness” in August, after she announced the death of her mother, Joan, who had been suffering from pneumonia.

Collins has made a series of Instagram posts dating back to Tuesday about a number of letters she has received, with the notes featuring abusive comments about her body image, her relationship with fiance Rami Hawash and her home, while also claiming: “I’m watching you.”

In a post on Saturday, she said: “Another letter, even worse they sent a letter just after my mum’s funeral claiming to be there. Justice is coming.”

In earlier posts, she claimed the stalker had “an obsession with Rami Hawash having another child”. Collins is stepmother to Hawash’s son, Tristan, and has previously spoken openly about her fertility struggles.

A post on Tuesday read: “I’ve been dealing with something very upsetting behind the scenes.

“I’ve been receiving some truly nasty and deeply personal letters, and what makes it even more shocking is believing they may be coming from someone very close to us.

“I’ve stayed quiet because I don’t believe in reacting out of anger, but there comes a point where boundaries have to be drawn. Everything has been kept, documented and is being taken seriously.

“To anyone who thinks sending anonymous cruelty, rat poison, dog poo, into someone’s home is acceptable, it isn’t. Words have consequences.

“I’m choosing peace, protection and truth. Thank you to everyone who continues to send me love and kindness. It means more than you know.

“I also want to say a huge thank you to the police, CID, forensic teams and everyone involved who has taken this matter seriously and treated it with such care and professionalism.

“When something like this happens, you realise how important it is to feel protected, listened to and supported. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone working behind the scenes.”

Following the posts, she was supported by a number of celebrity friends, including fellow former The Only Way Is Essex star Jess Wright, who posted: “This is horrific Gem.”

Collins rose to fame on The Only Way Is Essex between 2011 and 2015, before going on to appear on other reality TV shows including I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here.

Essex Police have been contacted for comment.