The TV presenter, 48, shares her opinions... and her life
Celebs should let someone who has worked hard take credit where it’s due
I’m a big believer in trying your hand at anything, and that’s what I’ve done – from working in B&Q to presenting on the telly. But I also think that, sometimes, celebrities should take a back seat and let someone who has worked hard take credit where it’s due. I would have felt honoured if I was in Meghan Markle’s shoes, being offered the chance to guest-edit Vogue, but I imagine a lot of people must have studied and worked hard to get to that position – and I would rather a hard worker got the job.
But celebrities can work hard, too. Ross Kemp is reportedly considering a career change to become a comedian, and after years of hard grafting as an actor and TV presenter, I think we should give him a chance.
Ross has toiled to get to where he is now, and his documentaries are always hard-hitting, so doing comedy might give him a sense of balance. The thing with Meghan is that she’s married into it, whereas Ross has worked from the beginning.
People sometimes have imposter syndrome in a new job – they worry that they’re not qualified enough. I always consider myself lucky to be in any job, but I remind myself that I’m worthy, as I’ve worked since I was 15 years old. I always have a positive approach, ready to learn on the job and work hard.
Check out Celebrity Big Brother's most outrageous moments
Celebrity Big Brother's most outrageous moments SLIDER
1 of 31Roxanne Pallett accused Ryan Thomas of punching her
When Roxanne Pallett and Ryan Thomas were playing fighting no one was quite prepared when the Emmerdale actress claimed that he punched her hard in the ribs. She was quick to tell the rest of the housemates, ask Big Brother why Ryan wasn't removed from the house and branded him 'a liar', 'manipulative' and 'calculating'. During an eviction the CBB crowd were chanting for Roxanne to leave and shortly after she quit the show.That didn't stop the nation from being furious and Ofcom received over 11,000 complaints. She's since apologised for her actions but Ryan's brother Adam has slammed her apology and so has the Corrie star's girlfriend Lucy Mecklenburgh.
2 of 31Kim Woodburn's explosive row
Security entered the house in 2017 to escort Kim Woodburn out, following an explosive row with her housemates.
3 of 31Christopher Biggins' shocking removal
In 2016, Christopher Biggins was removed from the house after making shocking homophobic and anti-Semitic comments.
4 of 31Stephen Bear and Chloe Khan's bathroom saga
In 2016, Stephen told Chloe he wanted to "f**k her in the bathroom" while the pair got intimate after locking themselves in the bathroom... the noises were unbearable!
5 of 31Stephen Bear's love affair
In 2016, Stephen Bear's girlfriend entered the house to confront him after he cheated with housemate Chloe Khan.
6 of 31Gemma Collins' controversial decision
In 2016, Gemma Collins chose to have a professional blow dry at the expense of her fellow housemates losing out on hot water and the use of hair appliances for the day.
7 of 31Megan McKenna's meltdown
In 2016, Megan McKenna's drunken meltdown got her removed from the house by security.
8 of 31Stephanie and Jeremy's romance
In 2016, Stephanie Davis publicly cheated with Jeremy McConnell, while her boyfriend tuned in to watch every night... awkward.
9 of 31'David's Dead' confusion
In 2016, Tiffany Pollard was hysterical after mishearing Angie Bowie's news that her husband David Bowie had died, and mistaking him for her fellow housemate David Gest.
10 of 31Stephanie Davis' knickers humiliation
In 2016, John Partridge, Christopher Maloney and Darren Day came across Stephanie's dirty underwear and publicly mocked her stains, referring to them as "pigeon s--t".
11 of 31Winston McKenzie's homophobic slur
In 2016, housemates were left stunned as Winston McKenzie's homophobic views were exposed in a task, as he compared gay adoption to "child abuse".
12 of 31Lewis Bloor and Marnie Simpson's shower scene
In 2016, Marnie Simpson and Lewis Bloor enjoyed a naked romp in the showers... Nice.
13 of 31Perez Hilton's sexual threats
Perez Hilton repeatedly tells Calum Best he'd "shove his huge dk up your ae" during a heated row in 2015.
14 of 31Perez Hilton harassing Katie Hopkins
During their daily bust-ups in 2015, Perez Hilton tried to lick Katie Hopkins whilst singing "lick it good, suck this d**k just like you should"... charming.
15 of 31Alicia Douvall banana-gate
In 2015, Alicia Douvall was left in tears after housemates caught her stealing bananas and hiding them under her bed... there's worse sins!
16 of 31Ken Morley's racist slur
Ken Morley was removed from the house in 2015 for using the 'n-word' in a heated discussion with Alexander O'Neal.
17 of 31Lee Ryan, Casey Batchelor and Jasmine Waltz's love triangle
Following her on-screen romance with Lee Ryan, Jasmine Waltz re-entered the house after he quickly moved on to fellow housemate Casey Bachelor in 2014.
18 of 31Leslie Jordan's row with Frenchy
In 2014, Leslie Jordan lost his cool with Frenchy after she cut up his underwear, calling her "white trash" and a "stinking French s**t!"
19 of 31Dappy's raunchy bathroom scene
Dappy 'windmilled' after jumping in the pool with Luisa in 2014.
20 of 31Spencer and Heidi Pratt's villainous antics
In 2013, Spencer and Heidi Pratt prevented housemate Claire Richards from getting a letter from her children... AND celebrated it.
21 of 31Lauren Harries falling over 24/7
Lauren Harries constantly tripped over in 2013. How?!
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22 of 31Denise Welch's drunken antics
In 2012, Karissa Shannon threatened to leave and sue the show as a drunken Denise Welch jokingly pulled down her trousers and exposed her bum.
23 of 31Frankie Cocozza and Nicola Maclean get steamy in the hot tub
Frankie Cocozza and Nicola Maclean get steamy in the hot tub in 2012.
24 of 31Julie Goodyear's banana scene
Julie Goodyear got a little too personal with a banana in 2012.
25 of 31Jedward get vajazzled
Jedward got vajazzled by Amy Childs in 2011... not something you want to see every day.
26 of 31Alex Reid's beauty regime
Alex Reid got a fake tan in the buff in 2010.
27 of 31Verne Troyer's drunken collision
Verne Troyer had a head-on collision with the Diary Room after getting a bit tipsy in 2009.
28 of 31Jade Goody vs. Shilpa Shetty
Jade vs Shilpa in 2007 led to one of the most controversial CBB moments EVER and to Jade's silent eviction from the house.
29 of 31George Galloway's cat incident
George Galloway pretended to be a pussy-cat in 2006. A nation shuddered.
30 of 31Jackie Stallone's shock arrival
Jackie Stallone's shock arrival in the house in 2003 was accompanied by the immortal line: 'Yeaaaah, Jaaaackie!'
31 of 31Vanessa Feltz tragic meltdown
In the first ever CBB in 2001 Vanessa Feltz had a meltdown and scrawled posh words all over a table.
I never set myself plans
I don’t sleep well. My day usually starts early – I wake up at 5am. I’ve been working on a documentary that’s coming out next year. My schedule is always hectic when I’m filming, but I never set plans in place. I take every day as it comes.
I don’t always have time for meals, so I often snack on the go. If I have time, I go to my local café for breakfast. I love Marmite, so they always have a jar especially for me.
Watch: Love Island Bikini Bodies With Gail Porter | Closer Confidential
My week is split between London and Scotland. The train journeys are long, but I’ve been writing my memoir, which I work on to fill the time. Now that I’ve finished editing it, I’ll watch Netflix on the train. I love a gritty crime series.
Escaping London is a treat. I always make sure to look after my mental health and take a break when I need to. My body tells me when I’ve worked too hard, and sometimes I need a day of doing nothing. I try to go to the gym at around 6.15pm.
I like to squeeze in a spinning class and a swim. Time with my teenage daughter Honey is precious. We’re often doing our own thing, but when we’re both at home, we make an effort to cook dinner together. My favourite food is sea bass – but I’m trying to cut out fish. I’ll go to bed at 9pm.
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32 is the prime age
According to new research from genealogy site 23andMe, the age that we feel the most pressure to be healthy is 32. I started going to the gym a lot when I was 18, and when I reached 32, I ate like a horse – I was pregnant with my daughter, Honey [now 16]. I was just focused on me and my baby.
Motherhood influenced me to ignore any pressures – you only have one life, don’t waste it with body hang-ups and feeling pressured by others. When I want to go for a run, I’ll go for a run – everyone is an individual, and people shouldn’t be telling me what I should do and when.
If I ruled the world...
I’d make everyone say hello to each other on the underground… I always smile or say hello – people think I’m insane.
…and I’d make everyone take a day off from driving. It would be a day for cycling or walking only.
Mental health campaigner Gail Porter recently visited The Cabin in Chiang Mai to look at their new women’s programme Rise, a gender responsive trauma programme exclusively for women.