You are not alone.. this can happen to any of us

TV presenter hopes her story can inspire Scots living in poverty | She backs not for profit lender helping struggling families

- MARK MCGIVERN

SCOTS TV star Gail Porter is using her turbulent life story to help those struggling with dire poverty turn their lives around.

The former presenter believes her own struggles qualify her to inspire families to come back from the brink during the cost-of-living crisis.

She spoke out after findings show 1.6million Scots are dicing with poverty. And 29 per cent have zero savings. Gail is spreading a message of hope she hopes will allow others to bounce back from despair caused by homelessness, bankruptcy and mental health trauma - all of which she's survived.

She is fronting a campaign by Fair for You, a not-for-profit lender, which helps seal credit for those with poor credit ratings.

Gail said: "Once you've gone through quite a lot of negativity, like I have, you're qualified to tell people who find themselves in abject poverty, 'You're not alone - this could happen to any of us'.

"We could all lose our homes, especially nowadays, with the cost-of-living crisis.

"So many people are worried about whether they will have a roof over their head by the end of the year. Will they be able to afford the bills? People have to know it's OK to ask for help." Gail, from Edinburgh, became one of the 90s most visible faces after an image of her naked body was beamed on to the House of Commons building in a stunt by lads magazine FHM in 1999.

In the years after, she lost virtually everything - her home, her mental health, her marriage and all possessions.