Gail Porter has experienced amazing highs and heartbreaking lows in her life. After finding fame as a children’s TV presenter, she went on to host shows such as Top Of The Pops. Heralded as a national sex symbol, she was shocked when an image of her naked body was projected on to the Houses of Parliament in 1999.
She appeared to be living the dream – in demand in her professional life and happily married to Toploader guitarist Dan Hipgrave, with whom she has daughter Honey, born in 2002. But then tragedy stuck. As her marriage fell apart, Gail developed alopecia, losing her hair and lucrative work.
She ended up bankrupt and destitute, but determined to rebuild her life, revealing in 2020 documentary Being Gail Porter how Celebrity Big Brother saved her from being homeless, as it gave her the money to put a deposit on a flat. Now 51, Gail still lives in the same London home and is a committed mental health campaigner with the Samaritans, vowing, “absolutely nothing can break me”.
Here, she reveals how she recovered from rock bottom, to live her life trying to be the best parent and friend possible.
Hi Gail. Tell us how you first got in contact with the Samaritans?
I remember phoning them when I was having a pretty tough time many, many years ago. I didn’t want to take up their time, but when I did call it was such a weight off my shoulders – to talk to someone who didn’t want to know your name, didn’t want to know where you lived…
Bu hikaye New UK dergisinin February 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye New UK dergisinin February 27, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'IT'S THERAPY ON ANOTHER LEVEL'
Hollyoaks actress Jennifer Metcalfe opens up on how the emotional storyline of her character Mercedes going through bowel cancer is helping her deal with losing her father to the same cruel disease
Teacher used school funds to pay hitman to kill his pregnant lover
When Jocelyn Peters bought potatoes, she didn't know one would be used to help murder her
'We held a joint funeral for my husband and my baby son'
Rhian Mannings, 47, tragically lost her son George at just one year old, and five days later her husband Paul was dead too
'I'd like to get married and so would Roger'
My Mum, Your Dad lovebirds, Roger and Janey, tell new about their 'lucky' connection and plans for the future
'You forget you're on TV, so it's very raw'
Celebs Go Dating's Chris Taylor and Tristan Phipps reveal why the experts' advice made them so emotional
Meghan 'hopes for new start with Kate'
Following the Princess of Wales' poignant cancer update, the Duchess of Sussex is reportedly ready for a reconciliation
Will Cat stay at This Morning?
Cat Deeley has faced criticism since joining the ITV daytime show, and a source tells new she wouldn't hesitate about quitting
'This is the best present could give my mum'
TOWIE favourite Gemma Collins solves a family mystery – and also discovers a surprising link to Jack The Ripper
Alison 'couldn't be happier'
Presenter Alison Hammond is loved-up and looking fabulous, and is more content than she's ever been, a source tells new
Molly set to 'make millions'
She's \"still hurting\" following her split from Tommy Fury, but Molly-Mae Hague is said to be looking to the future with an exciting new venture