Gemma Collins has been left devastated by the death of her beloved kitty, Twinkle, who passed away lsat month.

But now the 39-year-old reality star fears the cause of death of her beloved cat was the deadly coronavirus.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak began spreading around the world earlier this year, there have been reports of cats contracting the disease, while scientists at University College London last week shared fears that cats could cause a second wave of the virus.

Gemma revealed her cat had been put on a ventilator when she fell ill, only to later die at the age of 25-years-old.

Gemma Collins is distraught following the death of her cat, Twinkle (
Image:
Dave Benett/Getty Images for Jersey Style Awards)

Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, Gemma explained that she feared her cat was a victim of the deadly coronavirus.

She said: “Twinkle died in quarantine.

“I was so upset about it - I think she had Corona. She’d never had breathing problems, and it was just so weird how she died.

“I took her to the vet and it was so awkward because of Corona, I had to leave her on the boot of my car in a box and I just said to the vet please keep her alive.

Gemma was left devastated last month when her pet died aged 25 (
Image:
gemmacollins/Instagram)

“And then he called me two hours later and said he’d put her on a ventilator and she’s died.”

Last week scientists shared fears pets including cats and dogs could be susceptible to coronavirus and potentially pass it on to human owners, sparking a second wave of the disease.

The UK could therefore be at risk of a second outbreak even if cases of coronavirus are eradicated among humans as pets could carry, incubate, and pass on the virus.

Gemma now fears her cat died of coronavirus after scientists warned cats can carry the disease (
Image:
gemmacollins1/Instagram)

Researchers from University College London want a mass surveillance programme of all animals that live close to humans.

Professor Joanne Santini wants more research into which animals are susceptible to Covid-19 and increased testing.

She argued in The Lancet Microbe that there was growing evidence that pets can contract certain strains of coronavirus with a risk of passing on to people.

She called for an “urgent need for widespread researchers from University College London want a mass surveillance programme of all animals that live close to humans.

Professor Joanne Santini wants more research into which animals are susceptible to Covid-19 and increased testing.

It is believed there are 9 million pet dogs in the UK, and 10.9 million pet cats