Laid Bare: My Story of Love, Fame and Survival

by Gail Porter

Gail Porter burst on to our TV screens in the late 90s presenting Alive and Kicking, The Movie Chart Show , and Top of the Pops . Bright, sparky, and beautiful she soon attracted an entirely different audience, posing for a number of men’s magazines and rapidly becoming the pin-up of the lad-mag generation. FHM , in a now famous stunt, even projected her naked form on to the Houses of Parliament. But beneath her cheery public façade, Gail was struggling with anorexia and bi-polar disorder. After nine years of extreme dieting, she collapsed and through sheer determination forced herself to begin eating properly again. Having been told she would never be able to conceive, her new healthier lifestyle led to a much desired pregnancy by her then husband, Toploader guitarist Dan Hipgrave. But the intense pressures of juggling motherhood with her career led to crippling post-natal depression and precipitated the breakdown of her marriage. Overwhelmed by single motherhood, one day after dropping her daughter Honey off at nursery, she took an overdose and her world very publicly began to unravel. But Gail’s ability to stay afloat as her life crumbled in the public spotlight made her an icon all over again for a new audience of ordinary women who recognized her pain. She refused to hide away as stress-induced alopecia caused her to loose her hair, famously appearing at a charity event sporting a startling pink Mohican. Her stunning features and her unwillingness to wear a wig to hide her bald head have made her a contemporary icon. But despite all her troubles, Gail remains upbeat and positive. She has become a role model for coming through it all as a good mother and a working woman unbowed. As iconic as Jordan, smart as Billie, and wild as Kerry, Gail has produced a raw, honest account of her own troubled life in the celebrity goldfish bowl.

Genres: Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 6, 2007

Reviews

[Sarah Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been a fan of Gail, back to her Fully Booked days. I devoured this autobiography, being as easy to read as celeb bios are. Gail's story is somewhat of a cautionary tale. Reading it, a thought crossed my mind that she could have some autistic traits but this is never mentioned despite mental health issues being a central issue in the book.
I'd recommend the book to anyone interested in the perils of fame, especially in the noughties.

[dawn wilkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like to read an autobiography as I really enjoy reading about other people's lives. This book is very good and Gail Porter is very candid about her struggles with mental health, she has bi polar and her alopecia which caused her to lose her hair.
I didn't realise that she was the girlfriend of Keith from the Prodigy either.
Good book I really enjoyed it

[Lisa-Jaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two things I knew about Gail Porter - she was a pretty bubbly TV presenter back in the day and she developed Alopecia and lost all her hair. This book fills in all the gaps and shows the strength of character Gail has in overcoming depression, divorce etc. Very interesting.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I admire Gail Porter for her strength and the way she has held her (beautiful) head up high.. she's done an amazing job of bringing alopecia to the public eye and for that alone I should have given her 5 out of 5... however I did feel that the book didn't totally represent that stage in her life that well (compared to the documentary shown a couple of years ago) and almost came across as more negative than positive. She's had an incredible life so far and has battled lots of personal issues to get to where she is.. good luck to her!

[Michelle G · Rating 3 out of 5]

learned I had a hard life and that I am better able to face it all than Spoilt Gail was. Short & Tall she had her parents - they carried her - still she cut herself. I know you are going to say she was sick but, come on, some of us get up and get on with it. the rest of us don't have someone to carry us and yes she worked hard - for God sake we all do if we don?t want to end up in the gutter!!!!!!

Ok sorry about the hair but think of the money she'll save on shampoo.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although I did enjoy this book, It wasn't that intresting. Gail's writing at points seemed not to suit me and it took little longer than expected to read. I did enjoy it and it had a fantastic insight to her life, but not my favouite book. I would still suggest you read this through as gail has been through so much and at some points it is documented well.

[Mysticpaganwitch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this very much but if my husband started cooking bacon or whatever it was, while I was on the floor in labour I'm afraid he would have been history.