MSN Online - Gail Porter Online Chat

MSN was very proud to present Gail Porter in association with Connectwomen.com in aid of Macmillan Cancer Nurses. Ladies and Gentlemen Gail Porter...Welcome online Gail... Gail Porter Hello, thank you!

Tell us, what got you involved with the Macmillan Nurses Project?
Gail_Porter says: Well, my grandma died recently of cancer and so it's an illness that's very personal and close to me and it affects so many people and we had to look after my gran as she was dying and for people to choose to do this as a living, is an amazing thing and I want to give them as much support as possible.

Thanks Gail straight on with the questions both on email and from our live audience...

Do you use the internet at home? And if so, what for? Which sites do you check out regularly?
Gail_Porter says: Hello, thank you! Yes, I do use the internet a lot, mostly to contact friends and also I tend to look up odd sites like cult television sites, sites about monkeys and I've recently discovered a game where Columbo and Quincy throw monkeys at each other in a fight to the death ...

You know you have a huge number of fans sites on the Net - a quick search found 85 different documents across the search engines. Have you seen any and what do you make of all that?
Gail_Porter says: Hello, thank you!I have seen one. I didn't know there was 85, what on earth do they talk about? maybe I should log on tonight and have a laugh! :-)

You started out studying Film at Beaconsfield Film school were you surprised to find yourself on the other side of a camera as a TV presenter?
Gail_Porter says: No. I'd always wanted to be in front of a camera but I also wanted to learn as much as possible about production and how television worked. It's all part of a master plan!

Favouite Film and Film Director?
Gail_Porter says: Oh, I couldn't answer favourite film because there's too many ...I could give you a list of a few ... Life Is Sweet, Star Wars, King of Comedy, Abigail's Party, Withnail and I, Gregor's Girl ... Scarface and Godfathers and much more ...Directors, I like Terry Gillian, Mike Leigh, Scorcese ... loads!

You started as a runner where was that and what did you do?
Gail_Porter says: That was at an independent producton company in Scotland called In Video and basically I made tea, washed dishes, parked cars, cleaned railings, bought people fags and their dinner. I worked from 7 in the morning until as late as they needed me, occasionally overnight.

How did you get the job?
Gail_Porter says: I wrote to loads and loads of firms, begging, and that was it :o)

Can you tell us a bit about your first Film, The Great Bear Movie what do you play and when does it start shooting ?
Gail_Porter says: The Great Bear Movie is a feel good movie where everybody dies. It's a black comedy and we're just waiting for the rest of the budget to materialise from somewhere and hopefully shooting will begin at the beginning of next year.

You were rumoured to be writing a dark comedy for TV - any news ?
Gail_Porter says: My friend Charlotte and I are writing a few ideas for television at the moment, one idea has been optioned and the rest are really funny and shall no doubt be on your televisions soon (I'm not biased ;-)

You're also due to present the Net Aid Concert - that'll be big are you loking forward to it?
Gail_Porter says: Absolutely! What a laugh!

One woman you have said you admire is Bette Davis - what qualities do you admire in her ?
Gail_Porter says: Her eccentricity and she spoke her mind.

When you left childrens TV. Were you surprised at how protective people felt over you about your Modelling shoot?
Gail_Porter says: Yup!

What projects do you have coming up?
Gail_Porter says: I'm doing Top of the Pops on Christmas Day, lots of writing, Virgin TFI Nightly next week for the next 2 weeks, Virgin every weekend, Movie Chart Show every week, VH1 every week... washing the dishes on Sunday... Wish You Were Here... Net Aid, a movie called Just the Ticket... and a travel show for Miramax.

Apart from Hong Kong Phooey - what other cartoons do you remember well (sportbilly?)
Gail_Porter says: I liked Chorlton the Wheelies, The Clangers, Captain Pugwash, Scooby Doo!!!! and Captain Caveman... Top Cat...

What`s it like behind the scenes at top of the pops?
Gail_Porter says: It's quite dark... lots of cables lying about, but seriously it's a brilliant laugh and it's a fantastic team that works on it.

What is the secret of your success?
Gail_Porter says: 42

Did you see the Connect.com web site for Macmillan Nurses? What did you make of it?
Gail_Porter says: Yes, I've visited it. Full of interesting titbits, information, it's very easy to use. If you access it tomorrow between 9 and 12, you can make an online donation and if you're using a mate's computer, there's a chance for you to register for the Cable & Wireless Internet Lite... and they make an additional £1 donation, so everyone's a winner, baby!

so you like the Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy, what else do you read?
Gail_Porter says: Perfume by Patrick Souskind, that's my favourite... The Rat Pack Confidential... I'm reading The Devil and Marguerita, Like Water for Chocolate and lots of Evelyn Waugh, love Evelyn Waugh books.

I would like to know how do u spend your free time?
Gail_Porter says: What is free time? Seriously, I go to the cinema, gym, pub, in that order.

What is it like being a celebrity? Do lots of men shout your name in the street? Whats the weirdest gift a fan has sent/gave you?
Gail_Porter says: It's a bit weird. The weirdest gift... a Steps album.

You are now considered one of the sexiest women in Britain...Does this affect the way you see yourself and the way those close to you see you?
Gail_Porter says: What a laugh! What a lot of rubbish. And no, nobody thinks any differently of me.

question for gail "Douglas Adams and Terry Gilliam.... a fan of the surreal then ?"
Gail_Porter says: Monkey wrench

How do you feel about the press and other media? Do you feel that they stick their noses in when they should exercise a little restraint,or are you happy that they can print whatever rubbish they choose?
Gail_Porter says: They should exercise a little restraint and if they're going to print something, it would be better if it was truthful.

Robbie Williams once said that his soul mate may be working behind the counter of his local supermarket. How much chance does a guy who works outside of the showbiz industry have of getting a date with you ? Do you think your future hunk of burning love could be an offshore dude up to his ears in crude oil ?
Gail_Porter says: I like the crude oil bit ... sounds good ....Doesn't matter what someone does for a living, it's how much they make you laugh.

My Question is - 'Have you ever dated anyone much younger than you - if so - how young?' (Buz is 18)
Gail_Porter says: Dear Buz... Four years younger than me is the youngest.

Do you miss Fully Booked? It looked a lot of fun and it certainly mad Sunday morning hangovers a bit more bearable...
Gail_Porter says: Yes, I do miss it. And I miss Chris and Tim but you have to move on and I am lucky to have such a great show to look back on and great memories.

Which famous person do you fancy???
Gail_Porter says: Where do I start ?! Gaz Coombes, the keyboard player from Suede, Peter Kay, John Thompson, I could go on and on. I'm a serial fancier!

Why has a beautiful woman like you not found Mr right yet?
Gail_Porter says: Don't know.

What was the best job you've ever done?
Gail_Porter says: Probably Top of the Pops, because it's such an institution. And working in a bar, that was pretty good. That was a laugh.

Where were you a barmaid?
Gail_Porter says: The Oblomov bar in Edinburgh.

question for gail - got any good jokes? so that I can tell the lads in my flat that you told me a joke once
Gail_Porter says: Eskimo is driving through Iceland when his car breaks down ...He calls the Icelandic AA who appear within minutes. They look under his bonnet, turn to the eskimo and announce "it looks like you've blown a seal" .. to which the eskimo replies, "No, it's just frost on my moustache."

So you fancy Fat Bob... What is the worst chat up line you have ever heard?
Gail_Porter says: I haven't really heard any really, I just get people coming up going, "You're Gail Porter" and I thank them for that information.

what has been your biggest fashion mistake?
Gail_Porter says: It was puffball skirt and kneehigh socks when I was younger, in the 80's.

What was the best photo shoot you ever did?
Gail_Porter says: The last Esquire one.

Gail you have a piercing but would you ever get a tatoo?
Gail_Porter says: I don't think so. I'll stick with bolts through my anatomy.

If you could live in a shopping mall for a night and could get in any shop, what would you do for the night ?
Gail_Porter says: Can I have three?

Hi my name is Scotty and I am a little sick these days so I spend alot of time online or watching tv. I have thought a lot about taking up kick-boxing as a way to let myself know I am better and that is half inspired by yourself. Thank you very much, and may you go on to much success.
Gail_Porter says: Hope you get better soon. Kick-boxing is a great way to feel good and get rid of stress. Keep well and thanks.

I was just wondering if you still kept up your Karate and if so, do you train at it a lot?
Gail_Porter says: I go to the gym every day and I'm hoping to take up kick boxing again next week with a new instructor.

Will you try out Hollywood do you think?
Gail_Porter says: Yes, of course, sweetie.

Where you always aware of an adult audience catching the in-jokes on the Saturday morning kids shows, or where you oblivious to it?
Gail_Porter says: We knew full well, what a laugh.

Would you ask Gail if she would rather have Lukes or Hans baby?
Gail_Porter says: Han Solo

What do you look for in a man and who is your ideal man?
Gail_Porter says: A funny man, and interesting and breathing.

Are you logging on tomorrow for the internet coffee morning yourself?
Gail_Porter says: Yes, most definitely. And for anyone who hasn't got the address yet, it's www.connectwoman.com, so please join me!

Any last word to your fans?
Gail_Porter says: Thanks very much for all your questions. Support the Macmillan nurses, keep smiling and remember cheese must be kept in an airtight container, or else, more fool you!

Brilliant Gail thank you very much and best of luck in everything that you do!