Heat - Gail Porter

"People can say what they want but I'm going to be me. And if that means shocking people by doing something as insignificant as having my nipple pierced then that's tough"

After her controversial nude photo session, former kids' TV presenter Gail Porter is hoping to take Off in a much more respectable way. She bares her soul to Nick Duerden about fame, her body and those Celibacy rumours

GAIL PORTER IS LATE. SHE SHOULD HAVE been here an hour ago but there's still no sign of her. Then again, she's been very busy lately. This morning she recorded The Movie Chart Show for Channel 5, the latest in a string of shows that could establish her as one of the hardest-working women on TV.

Since her TV debut in l996, the 28-year-old Scot has rarely left our screens, hosting an enviably wide scope of shows on every terrestrial channel and many of their satellite rivals. As the effervescent presenter of such shows as Fully Booked, Disney's Great Cartoon Chase and Scratchy & Go, she used to be better known to the under-l2s - but a risque nude photo session for GQ changed that. Gail Porter isn't just another tits-out-for-lads'-mag bimbette, though: beneath the surface there's a rare personality. She's a film buff, a huge music fan, and regards Bob Mortimer, Eddie Izzard and Richard Ashcroft as totems of male sexuality. Despite several links with famous men - including, rather tragically, 911 's Lee Brennan-it is rumoured that she hasn't done anything between the sheets other than sleep in over two years now. ("That," she will later say, smiling slyly, "isn't entirely correct.")

When she finally arrives, Gail isn't the famously happy bunny of Sunday morning TV. Suffering from a tummy bug, she looks tired and stressed; it seems such a heavy workload might be taking its toll. The photographer comes over to say hello and offers her a choice of costume for the shoot. But faced with the prospect of having to smile for the camera, she crumbles. Seconds later she's in tears and the facade drops completely. Within minutes, however, she's back on top of things, her professionalism restored. "Right," she says brightly, rubbing two dainty hands together, "I'm OK. Let's begin."

In the past three years, you've been on more than 20 TV shows. You get about a bit, don't you? Over 20? Wow, I didn't realise it was that many. I seem to have been in the right place at the right time quite a lot recently, and it's gathering momentum. I've always wanted to be famous, so it's all quite exciting at the moment. A little bit frightening, too. I did Top Of The Pops a couple of weeks ago. My Mum was so proud!

How did you first get Into TV?

I did an HND course in Visual Communication, then I got a job as a runner for a production company. I made a lot of coffee for a lot of people. I worked behind the scenes in TV for about four years. Then one day I decided that now was the time to become famous. I made a showreel - which was great fun because I'm always showing off in front of video cameras at home - sent off ten copies, and within a week half of them responded. The first audition I went to, I got the job- The Totally Interactive Game Show on Children's ITV.

Why the desire to be famous?

I remember going to see Star Wars when I was wee and being absolutely gutted when the film finished: a) because Luke and Princess Leia didn't snog; and b) because I realised that I now had to go back out into the real world. I wanted to be like them up on screen, famous, living a fantasy life. From that point, I just had this burning ambition to be famous and make people smile.

How Sweet.

Yes, aren't I just? [She flutters her eyelashes in comic fashion.] They've just completed the new Star Wars, haven't they ? Damn! Why didn't they ask me to be in it? I could have been Woman In Background, cleaning something. Or in one of those costumes, something hairy. Or, or...

Or R2D2?

Exactly! I'm about the right height, too! But, aye, I'd love to be an actress. I've got a better range than R2D2. You'd be surprised.

You were shortlisted for The Big Breakfast, weren't you?

This is true, I was. I went for a screen test and I didn't get it. It would have been a nice one, that. But obviously it wasn't for me. The papers are being really horrible to Kelly Brook, aren't they ? Poor girl. Is she really that bad? I've not seen the show yet.

Consciously avoidlnq It, then?

No, it's just that I'm a bit of a gymaholic, so I'm in there every morning. By the time I get home, the show's finished.

Is there much rivalry between you, Kelly Brook, Melanie Sykes, Zoe Ball and the others?

I suppose so; it's a very competitive business. But we don't actually scrap. My mother always says what's for you won't go past you. So if I don't get a part, there's a reason. This way, my confidence doesn't waver. It's important to remain level-headed.

You're almost a decade older than Brook. Does that concern you?

What an ageist question! No, it doesn't concern me at all. No one ever asks my age. Because I look so young, everyone just assumes I must be 21 or 22. I'm glad I spent years behind the scenes. It's a fickle business, and it can be very nasty. I can deal with any knock better now than if I was a wee lass.

You've become very notorious In kids' TV very quickly. Why?

By accident, I think. After the notorious GQ shot [lying on her front, naked and painted silver], the tabloids went mad. That happened just after the Richard Bacon scandal, so they were out to get us - "Kiddies' TV Presenter Gets Kit Off!" The thing is, I wasn't doing any children's TV at the time. I don't know what the fuss was about. I thought they were lovely pictures and it was only my bum showing.

Do you enjoy takinq your clothes off for men's magazines?

Well, I like showing off, posing about and prancing around, getting dressed, getting undressed. It's fun.

Does It feel like a requirement, a route to instant fame?

Not at all. I'm always wandering around the gym changing rooms with nothing on, chatting to people. I don't have a problem with my body. It's just a body. But, no, I don't think women have to take their clothes off to become famous. As I said, it's just a bit of fun. It only becomes "notorious', because so many people are uptight.

It must be irritating, though, to be viewed as totty?

People can say what they want about me, but I know who I am. Actually, I think those photographs helped me: people took me more seriously as a grown up, and not just some little children's TV presenter. Now I'm getting offered older work. I'm not doing any kids' shows right now, which is great because I'd love to get into comedy - Never Mind The Buzzcocks or The Day Today or I'm Alan Partridge. I absolutely love Alan Partridge.

Is yours the most famous pierced nipple In televlslon?

[Laughs] I've never understood the fascination with this. It's only the one nipple, after all. When kids watch me on TV, I don't want to have to be unnaturally well behaved. Kids are very sharp, and I want to be real. I'm not about to start talking down to them. I'm going to be me. And if that means shocking people by doing something as insignificant as having my nipple pierced, then tough.

Are you approached in the street ?

It's happening more and more. Yesterday somebody came up to me and told me I was Gail Porter off the telly. I told him, "Yes, that's right." Then he said I was quite funny - for a girl. Cheeky so-and-so. Sometimes, if I'm in a pub, a few beery boys will start coming on to me, but it's all quite innocent, I think. Anyway, I'm a member of several clubs, so the privacy is there if I want it.

Can you clear up the rumour about your two-year celibacy?

OK, in an interview I said that I hadn't had a boyfriend for two years. The journalist took that to mean I hadn't had sex in that time either. All I'll say is that I haven't had sex in a while. I find it difficult to have a relationship at the minute, I'm just so busy. Plus I'm hopeless at chatting up men. If I see someone I like, I tend not to do anything about it, then regret it later. I'm far too shy.

Who in television do you admire?

Chris Evans is amazing. He may rub people up the wrong way, but he's really very clever. Johnny Vaughan too. And I think Vic and Bob are just phenomenal. Those two from The Fast Show, Paul Whitehouse and Charlie Higson, are wonderful. And Steve Coogan's a genius, I love him. [Spends next ten minutes quoting I'm Alan Partridge.]

Are you stinking rich these days?

I'm doing all right, thank you. I tell you what's weird about making money. People start giving you things for free - clothes, drinks, memberships... But having worked as a runner for £10 a day, I really appreciate it. I'm looking to buy a house now.

Are you tabloid fodder now?

I suppose so. But then fame is a package. There's good things and bad things. I want fame, so I'm willing to put up with it.

Do you have many skeletons in your closet?

No, I have a nice bunch of friends. Totally trustworthy.

Tell us Something unpleasant about you?

I'm obsessive about cleaning. I'll take your cup away before you've even finished your coffee. It'll be washed, dried, and put back in the cupboard before you know what's happening. [Makes weird psychotic noise.] Must mean I'm a bit nutty.

You're not doing Fully Booked this summer. Why?

Well, I've got a couple of other projects which may take off any week now. Fully Booked would have taken up too much time, but I'm really upset not to be doing it because it's a great show.

Care to elaborate on the "other projects"?

Not yet, no. But I'm praying I'll get it, it's dream-come-true stuff.

Would this be Zoe Ball'S Job on Live And Kicking, by any chance?

[Bemused] No. See, that's just another tabloid rumour for you. I've not even been approached about that job. If I was asked to audition, then I'd jump at the chance. But, no, this other thing is an altogether, um, other thing.

Do you think you'll still be on our screens In five years' time?

I've always said that I'll be famous and that I'm prepared to work as hard as I have to, so yes. Small screen, big screen, who knows? And if it does fail, I'll buy myself a bar in Barbados. That'd be a lovely thing to fall back on, don't you think ?