Beloved young mum Georgia Collier, 24, who was known to friends and family as the ‘Gemma Collins of Wigan’, tragically died on August 4 due to the toxic combination of a non-prescribed medication and cocaine

The grieving family of a young mum known as the ” Gemma Collins of Wigan” have paid tribute after her tragic death from drug complications.

Georgia Collier, 24, had dreams of becoming a beautician before her sudden death on August 4.

The mum-of-one has been remembered as having a unique personality “like a firework”, and always looking her best even when feeling low.

Gemma’s sister, Abi Collier, told Manchester Evening News : “Everyone knew who Georgia was. You will never meet another Georgia, ever.”

Her unique personality and matching “GC” initials led to her being compared with the Only Way is Essex reality TV personality Gemma Collins.

An inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Court today heard how a toxic combination of a non-prescribed medicine and cocaine caused her death.

The medication, a beta blocker called propranolol, is most commonly used to treat high blood pressure – and, most notably in Georgia’s case, to treat anxiety.

The court heard how Gemma had suffered with mental health problems since she was a child, and had been diagnosed with cyclothymia – which is similar to bipolar disorder.

Over the last couple of years she had been referred to mental health services from her GP and the inquest heard there were pre-arranged telephone calls with doctors that she didn’t make.

The court heard that Georgia had been heavily drinking for around a week before she died.

But both the pathologist, Stephen Wells, and Dr Ian Nesbit, told the inquest they had not heard of propranolol being abused.

Dr Nesbit said she could have been using it to alleviate some of the “physical symptoms” of anxiety she had been experiencing.

“I’ve never seen it used in an abusive way,” he told the inquest.

Georgia’s family believe she was taking the prescription drug in order to self-medicate.

Her mother, Melanie Sigsworth, told the MEN Gemma struggled with the wait for diagnoses and prescriptions – when she’d “want it there and then”.

Her family believe ADHD – which she had not been diagnosed with – and her mental health problems played a part in her self-medicating.

They said she would also struggle to fill in forms and make follow-up calls.

The assistant coroner, Stephen Teasdale, ruled out a suicide conclusion, noting Gemma had made efforts to end her life in the past, but the birth of her son, Billy, changed that.

He said: “It seems she was in a better place than she had been. She was trying, that’s all we can really expect. To make herself into a person who is dependable and can look after Billy.”

Georgia was found by police officers in her bedroom on August 4, 2021. She was last seen on July 31.

In a fundraiser set up to raise funds for Georgia’s funeral, her family and friends said: “Our beautiful Georgia tragically passed away recently at the age of 24.

“She was a kind caring and loving girl who touched the lives of many around her she leaves behind her mum, dad, brother, sister, nieces, nephews and her beautiful little boy Billy.

“She made a massive impact to those who were around her and will be sadly missed by many people .

“We are all absolutely devastated by the loss of Georgia.”