Latest news with #TheBigBreakfast
Daily Record
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Gail Porter: 'I've been at rock bottom, slept on a bench, it's proof we get through'
Presenter Gail Porter shared how she has overcome depression, alopecia and homelessness to find new purpose and joy in life At 54, Gail Porter is reflecting on a life that has taken her from the heights of TV fame to the depths of homelessness and back again. Now, she says, she is finally in a good place. 'I'm 100% happy,' she tells the Mirror. 'I've got my cat. My daughter's doing brilliantly, she's 22 now, finished uni and is working. I'm working, too, mostly charity stuff, and often for free, but I still worry about the next paid job. After being sectioned and homeless, I feel very lucky. I have great friends.' The presenter and mental health advocate has never shied away from speaking about her struggles, including the moment in 2011 when she was sectioned under a 28-day order at a psychiatric unit in North London. 'It was terrifying,' she recalls. 'I was drugged up to my eyeballs, sharing a ward with men convinced they were Jesus, and violent patients. It felt like One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.' In 2014, she hit rock bottom. With nowhere to go, she sofa-surfed for months before sleeping rough on a bench in Hampstead Heath. 'I'd applied for library jobs and charity shop shifts. People said, 'You can't do that, you're Gail Porter!' I just wanted someone to give me a chance. Instead, I ended up on a bench thinking I'd had enough.' It was a concerned boyfriend who contacted the police, fearing for her safety. 'Four officers walked up and said, 'Someone's very concerned for your safety. We're taking you to the hospital.' I kicked off. I was furious, but I was desperate,' she says. Long before those dark days, Porter was a staple of late 90s television, hosting Top of the Pops, The Big Breakfast, and gracing the covers of magazines. But her life began to unravel after she developed alopecia in 2005, losing her hair in clumps. 'Friends said, 'You're beautiful bald,' and for a while, I felt invincible, but work dried up. I got asked to do interviews about being bald, unpaid, because you're talking about an 'illness'. I thought, 'This is going to be a bit s***.'' The alopecia came alongside depression and anorexia. 'I lost everything, my house, my career, my confidence,' she admits. Today, she is in recovery, both financially and emotionally. After being declared bankrupt in 2017, she found stability through her Bafta-winning 2020 documentary Being Gail Porter, and continues to rent a place in North London. She also campaigns for causes close to her heart. 'It's awful out there,' she says. 'I work with Fair For You to help people pay back loans without crippling interest, and with the Samaritans over the winter, because I know that darkness. Everyone's one missed payday from disaster.' Despite past romances, including her marriage to Toploader's Dan Hipgrave and a brief fling with The Prodigy's Keith Flint, she has no interest in dating now. 'I don't date. Now, it's all apps and swipes, I can't be bothered. I go to Soho, meet friends, maybe sneak off to a gig, and that's enough.' She remains firm in her belief in self-acceptance. 'I've had dodgy comments, 'Where's your hair? Why no wig?' Sometimes I reply, 'Why didn't you wear better deodorant?' But 95% of people are kind. I love hugs, I get so many lovely hugs.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Now, she's embracing a new chapter with the launch of her own wig, 'The Gail', part of Amber Jean Rowan's ethical collection. 'People say, 'Gail, you said you'd never wear a wig,' and I went 20 years without one, but now there's a choice. The first time I put on The Gail, my custom wig, I fell in love. It's not about covering anything up, it's self-expression.' With stand-up gigs, cruise ship Q&As, a new memoir in the works, and backing Prince William's Homewards homelessness campaign, Porter's life is full once again. 'I've been at rock bottom, from sleeping on a bench to standing on a cruise stage, it's proof we get through,' she says. 'You don't need therapy if you find your therapy. Mine is a spin class. When I was at my worst, I paid £100 for unlimited classes for two weeks and did two rides a day. My friends say I look so fit and happy. It's my lifeline.' She adds simply: 'I'm not brave. I wake up, put one foot in front of the other, and here I am. That's all anyone can do.'
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Gail Porter: 'I lost everything including all my hair but now I've fallen in love'
Presenter and campaigner Gail Porter reveals how she has come out the other side of depression, alopecia and homelessness to find a whole new purpose and love for life Gail Porter is having a moment. At 54, the TV presenter and mental health campaigner sounds almost overwhelmed as she reflects on how far she's come, as she chats exclusively to the Mirror. 'I'm 100% happy,' she says. 'I've got my cat. My daughte r's doing brilliantly — she's 22 now, finished uni and is working. I'm working, too, mostly charity stuff, and often for free, but I still worry about the next paid job. After being sectioned and homeless, I feel very lucky. I have great friends.' But Gail's smile falters as she remembers hitting rock bottom. In April 2011, aged 40, she was sectioned under a 28‑day order at a North London psychiatric unit near Hampstead. 'It was terrifying,' she admits. 'I was drugged up to my eyeballs, sharing a ward with men convinced they were Jesus, and violent patients. It felt like One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest.' In 2014, she found herself truly alone — sofa‑surfing for half a year, then sleeping rough on a bench in Hampstead Heath. 'I'd applied for library jobs and charity shop shifts. People said, 'You can't do that — you're Gail Porter!' I just wanted someone to give me a chance. Instead, I ended up on a bench thinking I'd had enough.' It was a close call. A worried boyfriend alerted the police, fearing Gail might harm herself. 'Four officers walked up and said, 'Someone's very concerned for your safety. We're taking you to the hospital.' I kicked off. I was furious, but I was desperate,' she says. Before these darkest days, Gail had known other tough losses. She was 30 when she married Toploader guitarist Dan Hipgrave in August 2001, and their daughter, Honey, arrived in September 2002. The marriage ended in separatio n by late 2004, and divorce followed in 2007. 'I've been married once,' she sighs. 'That was enough.' Before that, Gail had a whirlwind fling with the late Keith Flint of The Prodigy. 'He was intense and exciting, but it wasn't meant to be,' she says. Her career was soaring in the late 90s, hosting Top Of The Pops and The Big Breakfast, and appearing on magazine covers. Then, in 2005, her hair began to fall out in clumps. Diagnosed with alopecia, she refused to wear wigs. 'Friends said, 'You're beautiful bald,' and for a while, I felt invincible, but work dried up. I got asked to do interviews about being bald — unpaid, because you're talking about an 'illness'. I thought, 'This is going to be a bit s***.'' The hair loss coincided with anorexia and depression, and her once‑busy diary was blank. 'I lost everything — my house, my career, my confidence,' she admits. In her memoir‑in‑progress, Gail describes crying alone in Soho doorways, terrified that the next gig would be her last. Yet today, she believes she has the best of both worlds. After climbing back from bankruptcy in 2017, and making a Bafta‑winning BBC documentary, Being Gail Porter, in 2020, Gail is finally steady. She's renting again in North London, but still mindful of bills. 'It's awful out there. I work with Fair For You [a not-for-profit online lending company] to help people pay back loans without crippling interest, and with the Samaritans over the winter, because I know that darkness. Everyone's one missed payday from disaster,' she says. When it comes to romance, Gail is unequivocal. 'I don't date. In the 90s, you'd go out, have a few drinks, maybe meet someone. Now, it's all apps and swipes — I can't be bothered. I go to Soho, meet friends, maybe sneak off to a gig, and that's enough.' Her tone hardens at the memory of intrusive remarks. 'I've had dodgy comments — 'Where's your hair? Why no wig?' Sometimes I reply, 'Why didn't you wear better deodorant?' But 95% of people are kind. I love hugs — I get so many lovely hugs.' Gail's laugh breaks as she jokes about her frail eyelashes, fingers tracing her brow. 'I look like a massive baby with boobs. My lashes have grown back recently, and I save a fortune on mascara. I even microbladed my brows — they were too dark, so I bleached them at home. Complete chaos!' She's protective of her looks. 'I had my boobs reduced years ago because they were massive and my back hurt, but that's all the surgery I've ever had. I don't want anyone touching my face. I want to grow old my way.' She reflects on the n otorious February 1999 FHM photo shoot. 'They airbrushed me to within an inch of my life. Young girls looked at that and thought, 'Wish I had a body like that.' They probably took off a stone. They didn't pay me, made a fortune, projected it on to the side of the Houses of Parliament, and left me to deal with it. I don't even have a copy!' Fortunately, not all photo shoots she has taken part in have had such an infamous impact. Recently, Gail shot a campaign for Amber Jean Rowan's conscious‑sourcing wig brand. "Amber's brilliant — she gets alopecia. People say, 'Gail, you said you'd never wear a wig,' and I went 20 years without one, but now there's a choice. The first time I put on The Gail, my custom wig, I fell in love. 'It felt odd at first, but it's so similar to my old hair that it felt exhilarating. It's not about covering anything up — it's self‑expression. I now have the freedom to change my look whenever I fancy. I have the best of both worlds!' The Gail launches just ahead of Hair Loss Awareness Month in August. 'It became the best seller in the Amber Jean collection. I'm still proud of embracing baldness, but now I can also play with style.' Gail's journey is a testament to what she calls 'the brutal beauty of starting over'. She's hosting Q&As on Princess Cruises, touring her stand‑up, and raising awareness of homelessness with Prince William 's Homewards campaign. She's even planning a second memoir, already optioned for film. 'I've been at rock bottom, from sleeping on a bench to standing on a cruise stage, it's proof we get through,' she says. 'You don't need therapy if you find your therapy. Mine is a spin class. When I was at my worst, I paid £100 for unlimited classes for two weeks and did two rides a day. My friends say I look so fit and happy. It's my lifeline.' Her story is not one of bravery, Gail insists, but of survival. 'I hate it when people say, 'Poor Gail,' or 'Gail, you're so brave.' I'm not brave. I wake up, put one foot in front of the other, and here I am. That's all anyone can do.'
Scottish Sun
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘Absolutely smitten' 90s TV star goes public with new boyfriend at Glastonbury after performing secret DJ set
Scroll down to see which other celeb showed off her new love at Worthy Farm GLAST OF THE RED-HOT LOVERS 'Absolutely smitten' 90s TV star goes public with new boyfriend at Glastonbury after performing secret DJ set Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DENISE VAN OUTEN has gone public with her new man businessman Adam Butler, two months after I revealed they were dating. The former Big Breakfast host, who performed a secret DJ set at Glastonbury this weekend, was spotted in the VIP area with Adam - who she took away to the Maldives back in April. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Denise Van Outen has gone public with her new man businessman Adam Butler, two months after I revealed they were dating Credit: Supplied 3 A source said: 'Denise looks absolutely smitten' Credit: Supplied 'Denise looks absolutely smitten,' an onlooker told us. 'She was holding hands with Adam and they looked like a couple of loved up teenagers. 'Denise was smiling and laughing at his jokes and he was taking real care of her, making sure that other boozy revellers didn't crash into their path. 'It's great to see her looking so happy.' Denise wasn't the only celeb to show off her new love on the farm, with Lily James spotted snogging a mystery bloke in Block 9 at 1:30am yesterday morning. An eyewitness said: 'Lily was totally into her new guy and was making a real show of it. 'At one point they were snogging and the next she was on one knee fanning him. 'She kept joking that he likes 'extra service' to her mates.' 3 Denise made her name presenting The Big Breakfast alongside Johnny Vaughan Credit: Rex
The Irish Sun
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
‘Absolutely smitten' 90s TV star goes public with new boyfriend at Glastonbury after performing secret DJ set
DENISE VAN OUTEN has gone public with her new man businessman Adam Butler, two months after I revealed they were dating. Advertisement 3 Denise Van Outen has gone public with her new man businessman Adam Butler, two months after I revealed they were dating Credit: Supplied 3 A source said: 'Denise looks absolutely smitten' Credit: Supplied 'Denise looks absolutely smitten,' an onlooker told us. 'She was holding hands with Adam and they looked like a couple of loved up teenagers. 'Denise was smiling and laughing at his jokes and he was taking real care of her, making sure that other boozy revellers didn't crash into their path. 'It's great to see her looking so happy.' Advertisement Read More on Showbiz An eyewitness said: 'Lily was totally into her new guy and was making a real show of it. 'At one point they were snogging and the next she was on one knee fanning him. 'She kept joking that he likes 'extra service' to her mates.' Advertisement Most read in Bizarre Breaking 3 Denise made her name presenting The Big Breakfast alongside Johnny Vaughan Credit: Rex Denise Van Outen reveals second major career move away from TV presenting - after confirming return to music
Daily Record
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Zoe Ball spotted holding hands with Fatboy Slim lookalike at Glastonbury Festival
Zoe Ball was spotted at Glastonbury Festival with a mysterious man who resembled her ex-husband, Norman Cook, as the pair enjoyed the live music. Radio personality Zoe ball has been spotted at Glastonbury Festival with a mystery man, sparking speculation among fans, who spotted the pair, that he may be her new partner. The pair appeared to be enjoying the weekend festivities, with onlookers claiming they saw the two walking hand in hand. Some even remarked that the man bears a resemblance to Zoe's ex-husband Norman Cook, better known as Fatboy Slim. The 54-year-old presenter was seen dressed in black and wearing sunglasses as she explored Worthy Farm. She and her partner were also seen making the most of the VIP area, taking in some of the famous performances lined up for the weekend, the Mirror reports. Zoe shares two children with her ex-husband, Norman - a son Woody, 24, and daughter Nelly, 14. The former couple first met in Ibiza in 1997 and married two years later in 1999. Although the pair separated in 2016 and officially divorced in 2020, though they've remained good friends. It was reported that Zoe sold her £2 million countryside home in Sussex to move closer to her ex-husband in Brighton and Hove. Since the split, Zoe has faced further heartbreak. She was in a relationship with cameraman Billy Yates, who tragically died by suicide in 2017. She later entered a long-term relationship with former construction worker, Michael Reed, which reportedly ended in 2023. Zoe has yet to confirm any new relationship. This comes after Zoe and Jo Whiley announced an exciting new venture, the launch of a joint podcast. The beloved Radio 2 presenters are teaming up for the new project which has been described as a "warm and welcoming conversation with old mates". The podcast promises to feature "heartfelt and unfiltered conversations" as the duo open up about everything from raising a family and careers to ageing and living healthy. Episodes will be released twice a week, with exclusive bonus content for those who subscribe. . Zoe expressed her enthusiasm for the project, saying: "I'm so super-excited to dive into the world of podcasting with my girl Jo, I've got so much love and respect for her – she's been a true lifeline. Our friendship goes back 30 years, to our days on The Word and The Big Breakfast." "We've grown up together, personally and professionally, along with our listeners. The show is what happens when two mates (who are constantly mistaken for each other) hit record on their regular catch-ups and talk life, unfiltered and full volume. We're chatting about our week, wild kids, ageing, what's for dinner, digging (literally), music obsessions, grief and everything in between." Zoe took a step back from her weekday breakfast show last year, much to the disappointment of her fans. She was replaced by Scott Mills but has since returned to radio with a new weekend afternoon show.
