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Gail Porter cries on TV as she wears a wig for first time in 13 years

She's battled with the condition for 13 years

Gail Porter teared up as she debuted her new wig after battling alopecia for more than a decade.

Over the past 13 years, the 47-year-old star has never worn a wig in order to raise awareness of her condition and inspire others, but earlier this year she said she was finally ready to try wearing one.

And on Monday’s Loose Women, Gail became emotional as she unveiled her new blonde locks.

Gail Porter on LW
Gail teared up as she showed off her new wig (Credit: ITV)

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Wiping away her tears, Gail said: “I said, ‘I’m definitely not going to cry because I’ve got good make-up on!'”

Talking about her new wig, she continued: “It feels really weird, but really nice. I keep wanting to do this [flicks hair] all the time. I gasped when I saw it!

“It reminds me of being young. I feel quite young today.”

Revealing why she chose a blonde hairdo, Gail explained: “It was kind of just, I wasn’t really entirely sure, I was thinking maybe pink, maybe something different.

“When I saw this colour it reminded me of being in the ’90s and I thought, I quite like that. It was fitted for me.”

Gail Porter on LW
The star said her wig reminds her of “being young” (Credit: ITV)

She added: “I was going to wear it in plaits, I wasn’t sure. I don’t know what to do. This is the first time I’ve had it on. I can take it off and be bald. I love being bald, I’m so used to it.

“But I wanted to show other people you can get things as real as this.”

Asked if she felt pressure to stay bald to inspire others, Gail said: “I think I’ll always be bald half the week. I don’t know when I’ll wear this. Maybe go out for dinner or something.

“I enjoy feeling bald, I understand what you’re saying, I want people to be aware you have a choice. It’s beginning to feel normal now. It’s so secure on my head.”

She also revealed her daughter Honey’s reaction to her new look.

Gail Porter on LW
The star has never worn a wig to raise awareness of her condition and inspire others (Credit: ITV)

Gail told the panellists: “She sent me a message saying, ‘You look lovely’. Honey likes me whatever. She’s used to me bald. It’d take her a wee while to get used to this.”

The television presenter said she still has her own hair “in a jar” and admitted she feels “a bit Peter Pan-ish” with the wig.

Discussing her emotional reaction to the wig, Gail said: “I’m quite a tearful person normally, I felt really nervous, I was worried about your reactions and what people think.” 

Gail appeared on the daytime show back in June and revealed she was thinking about getting a wig.

Gail Porter on LW
Gail said she was overcome with emotion when she first saw the wig (Credit: ITV)

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She told the panel at the time: “The thing is, I’m not gonna wear one full-time, I just got given the option.

“I can show other women you can wear it like a hat.

“I’m also looking forward to the fact that I can go out for a drink one night and to shock people who don’t know me, just take it off during the night.”

We just LOVE her.

What do you think of Gail’s new look? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think!


Rebecca Carter
Associate Editor (News)

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