Gail Porter attempts to get into the spirit of things at a festive dog event in Primrose Hill after revealing she will be spending Christmas alone

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Gail Porter tried to enjoy the holiday spirit at a Christmas dog show as part of the Primrose Hill Christmas Festival on Sunday, not long after sharing her feelings of loneliness around the holidays.

Okay, let me tell you about the sweetest thing I saw today! I was at the Anna Webb Dog Show, and honestly, it was adorable. I had the pleasure of crowning the winner – a little Schnauzer completely decked out in an elf costume! It was such a joyful moment, and seeing that big smile on the pup’s owner’s face really made my day. It just proves, a little festive fun is good for the soul – for both humans and their furry friends!

She smiled brightly while posing with the cute dog and its owner, who was dressed in festive holiday attire – a Santa hat, reindeer glasses, and a Christmas sweater.

Gail looked stylish in a grey wool coat, worn over a black blouse and fashionable wide-leg blue jeans.

I always notice what she wears, and this time she really nailed a comfy yet stylish look! She was rocking a pair of bright yellow trainers and this amazing green baseball cap – it totally stood out and looked fantastic.

At the dog show, Sadie Frost, an actress, joined her to present the award to the winning dog. Frost wore a long, black puffer coat for the event.

The two were seen talking and laughing with other people at the event, and Gail later grabbed a gift bag for the dog with the best outfit.

This follows a sad Instagram post Gail made last week about feeling lonely with the holidays getting closer.

She shared a photo of herself wearing a cap, and confessed she was disappointed after not getting a ticket to see Radiohead, her favorite band.

She shared a story about a frustrating experience with a charity she volunteers for. They initially offered her a ticket to an event she’d enjoy as a thank you, but then quickly took it back, blaming a mistake on their end. She jokingly noted she’s not one to get upset easily.

Gail then shared another post, explaining that a friend hadn’t invited her to their Christmas gathering.

She jokingly apologized for one last complaint, explaining that she’d recently done some work for free and the client had offered to donate to a charity she picked. She’s still waiting for them to follow through.

My friend asked about my Christmas plans, and I told her I didn’t have any. She suggested I volunteer, which felt a bit insensitive considering how much of my time I already spend helping others. Honestly, all I’m really hoping for is a little comfort and a hug.

I was so happy to see all the lovely comments flooding in after her posts! It was amazing to see so much support. And it meant the world that Sarah Cawood, another star from our favorite nineties shows, reached out personally. She told Gail exactly what she needed to hear: that she deserves to prioritize herself, especially after all the incredible work she does for charity. It was just so heartwarming to see!

If you’re spending Christmas by yourself, please come over! I’d love to have you here. I don’t want anyone to be alone on Christmas, so consider this an open invitation! Lots of love.

Gail, the mother of 22-year-old Honey Hipgrave, shared her inspiring story in July. After facing years of difficult times – including heartbreak, homelessness, and health problems – she announced she was finally completely happy.

After struggling with mental health, hair loss, and financial difficulties, the television personality lost her home, job, and self-assurance.

Everyone recognized her as the host of ‘The Big Breakfast’ in the 1990s, but by 2011, she was struggling with personal difficulties and her life had become chaotic.

When Gail was 40, she experienced a mental health crisis and was admitted to a psychiatric unit. There, she was placed on a ward with patients who were either very disturbed or had displayed violent behavior.

She described the experience to The Mirror as terrifying, recalling being heavily drugged and placed in a ward with men who believed they were Jesus, as well as patients who were prone to violence. She said it felt reminiscent of the film ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’.

Only three years passed before she found herself homeless, sleeping on a bench in Hampstead Heath after trying to stay with friends and family didn’t work out.

She tried several times to get a job at places like charity shops and libraries, but kept getting rejected. She explained, ‘I just wished someone would give me an opportunity.’

When she was at her worst, her family and friends called the police, who brought her to the hospital for treatment. This was the start of a gradual, but hopeful, recovery.

I remember when it all started to change for her, back in 2005. She started losing her hair to alopecia, and it was heartbreaking. But what I admired was that she refused to hide it, wouldn’t wear a wig – she wanted to be real, to be herself. It was so inspiring! But honestly, it felt like Hollywood turned on her. The roles stopped coming, and she ended up doing these appearances, just to talk about her hair loss, and they didn’t even pay her! It was awful to watch, but she handled it with such grace, even though it clearly wasn’t fair.

Gail struggled with anorexia and depression, and faced financial hardship, ultimately filing for bankruptcy in 2017. She described losing everything she had – her home, her job, and her self-esteem.

She’s since turned her life around by volunteering, getting active, and finding new meaning in her daily life.

She even picked up a BAFTA for her 2020 documentary Being Gail Porter.

Currently, she dedicates her time to helping people through groups like the Samaritans and Prince William’s Homewards, a project working to end homelessness in the UK.

Sarah, age 53, became famous in the 1990s as the host of popular shows like Top of the Pops, Live & Kicking, and the MTV dating show Singled Out.

The actress recently made news when she shared a heartfelt video online, revealing her worry that she may have already reached the high point of her career.

In a September Instagram video, Cawood shared a vulnerable moment, becoming emotional as she admitted, ‘I want to be really honest with you all. I’m 53, I’m healthy, and I have a wonderful family… but I’m feeling lost right now.’

I wasted time scrolling through social media this morning and saw that many people I used to work with are doing really well. It’s a strange feeling, but it made me feel excluded. It sounds ridiculous, but at 53, I’m honestly a little jealous.

She explained that all her former colleagues from television, as well as the new friends she’s made, are constantly collaborating and doing well. While she’s genuinely happy and proud for them, she admits she misses being part of that group and working alongside them.

Sarah described her everyday housework and shared that she’s worried about not making enough money.

The former TV star explained that she feels unnecessary and wants to create something new for herself, perhaps by publishing a book based on her old diaries. However, she doesn’t have the time because she needs to focus on work that earns money. Otherwise, she’d be working constantly and wouldn’t have a life.

I’ve had a wonderful life, and I’m truly grateful for everything. I just find myself wanting a little more, and I wonder if that’s wrong. Perhaps there’s something else the universe has in store for me, and I should accept it.

The post received lots of supportive messages, including one from Radio 2 DJ Zoe Ball, who invited Sarah for a chat over tea.

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2025-12-01 15:05