'The Only Way Is Essex' star Gemma Collins once dated a convicted killer.

The curvy blonde had a two-year relationship with her childhood sweetheart, Darren Floyd, who killed a man in road crash after drinking eight pints of lager.

According to the Daily Mirror newspaper, the 32-year-old reality star first met the builder when she was 18 and they got back together when he was released from prison in 2007, after serving five years for the crime.

In her autobiography 'Basically: My Life as a Essex Girl', 'Splash!' star Gemma makes reference to 34-year-old Darren, who she calls 'Ben', and reveals she once became pregnant by him but miscarried their child.

She also wrote about him not wanting to be a part of her life after she found fame on 'TOWIE'.

A spokeswoman for Gemma said the bubbly star was ''aware of Darren's past but had never excused his behaviour.''

She is now engaged to car salesman Rami Hawash, 37, who popped the question on Christmas Day (25.12.13), by hiding her engagement ring in her Christmas pudding.

The Essex queen tweeted on Boxing Day: ''Very excited to announce that I got engaged yesterday I am very very happy @RamTech_ I love you best Xmas pudding x. (sic)''

The couple have had an on/off relationship since 2011 but Gemma insists they have overcome their issues and are now planning a family.

She said: ''I'm not into long engagements and I'm getting older and would like a baby.''