Gail Porter


(Gail Hipgrave)

1971 -

Gail Porter
©2022 Gazetteer for Scotland

Gail Porter

Television and radio presenter. Born in Edinburgh, Porter was educated at Portobello High School. She took a diploma in film studies at Beaconsfield Film School, before going on to work for a video production company. Her first notable television role came as presenter of the ITV Saturday morning children's show Fully Booked (1997). This was followed by occasional hosting of the BBC's Top of the Pops and the Movie Chart Show (1998). Hipgrave became a presenter on Virgin Radio, Live and Kicking (1998) and Dotcomedy (2000).

Popular for her good looks, Porter boosted her career when she appeared in the men's magazines GQ, FHM and Esquire (1999) and, somewhat bizarrely, her naked picture was projected onto the side of the Houses of Parliament in London as a publicity stunt.

She married guitarist Dan Hipgrave in 2001 although the couple separated in 2004. In 2005 she bravely continued to appear in public despite alopecia - resulting in almost complete hair-loss - brought on by a combination of stress, post-natal depression and a reaction against the drugs used to treat these problems. In 2010, much of her hair regrew.


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