Gail Porter looked stunning as she debuted her first-ever wig on Wednesday.
The 52-year-old television personality took to Instagram to share snaps after a visit to the salon, where she gushed that she “loved her new hair.”
In 2005, Gail was first diagnosed with alopecia (hair loss). The star saw her television work dry up at the time after she refused to wear wigs and she later became homeless.
In the post, she sported perfect, flowing blonde locks as she made a splash and thanked the salon's team.
She wrote in her post: “First wig ever!! Well, one that comes home with me and the cat! Made with so much love and care ❤️.
Gail Porter looked stunning as she debuted her first-ever wig on Wednesday (seen in December 2023)
The 52-year-old TV personality shared snaps on Instagram after a visit to the salon and gushed that she “loved her new hair.”
“Thank you to everyone @amberjeanshop at Adore my new Hair!”
Last year, Gail shared a heartfelt message on Instagram in which she insisted “nothing can break me” after losing her eyebrows and eyelashes again to alopecia.
She took to the social media site to say she was “lucky” despite her struggles and encouraged people who felt the same way.
She wrote: “Well, the alopecia has hit me again.” Eyebrows and eyelashes are gone again… but absolutely nothing can break me and I know that I am a very lucky person.
“More than a million more important things in this world, but anyone who's afraid of losing their hair… they've got this. 'Believe me.'
On Twitter, she described how she looked like the moon, posted a picture of Earth's natural satellite and wrote: “Damn.” Eyelashes and eyebrows have all decided to leave me. “Hey ho.”
The broadcaster added: “This has happened before… such positive thinking and lots of trips to @MACcosmetics for lashes!”
Gail was first diagnosed with alopecia in 2005. At the time, the star found her work on television drying up after she refused to wear wigs and she later became homeless.
In the post, she sported perfect, flowing blonde locks as she made a splash and thanked the salon's team
She wrote in her post: “First wig ever!! Well, one that comes home with me and the cat! Made with so much love and care ❤️'
In 2005, Gail was first diagnosed with alopecia (hair loss). The star saw her television work dry up at the time after she refused to wear wigs and she later became homeless
She was at the peak of her career in the 90s, hosting shows such as Top Of The Pops and The Big Breakfast.
Gail has credited her 20-year-old daughter Honey, who she shares with ex-husband Dan Hipgrave, with “saving her life”. Gail and Dan married in 2001 but separated in 2005.
She previously explained on the Sacrifice and Success podcast: “My personality took a bit of a hit. “Jobs just stopped because you don't look the same. “If you wore a wig, would you mind wearing a wig?” No, I don’t want to wear a wig. That's the way it is.
She added: “I was in the process of getting a divorce but no money was coming in. So I ended up having no place to stay.” Things kept getting worse. Things like: What are you doing? I drink? I have no idea at all, I don't do drugs, so…”
Gail continued: “I had lots of great friends but it was getting embarrassing because I'm in my 40s. My daughter lives with her father.
“I have no money, I have no job, I sleep on people's sofas.” It was like the boys. I didn't think I would be like this at my age.
“That's why you don't take everything for granted.” You must always remember how lucky you are and be extremely kind. '
Gail remembered that at one point she also ran out of credit on her phone to contact anyone.
“So it happened that I didn’t have enough money on my phone to call anyone,” she added.
“When I found a pound, I thought, ‘What am I going to do with a pound?’ I’m going to see if I can find another one and get a small bottle of wine from the local gift shop or from the little ones.
Last year, Gail shared a heartfelt message on Instagram in which she insisted “nothing can break me” after losing her eyebrows and eyelashes again to alopecia
The presenter was at the peak of her career when she was diagnosed with alopecia. She has hosted shows such as Top Of The Pops, Children In Need and The Big Breakfast (pictured with her ex-husband Dan Hipgrave in 2001).
“Everything to make you feel good.” I was also cold because I was outside.'
The TV star was convicted under the Mental Health Act in 2011 and admitted she was motivated by her daughter to “save her own life” when she later sought treatment.
She said: “I went to rehab for my depression and self-harm, if it wasn't for me darling I wouldn't be here.” One hundred percent. I wouldn't be here. But I thought I couldn’t do that to my daughter at all.”
If you need help, call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.
WHAT IS AOPEZIA?
Alopecia, which causes hair loss, is believed to be an autoimmune disease. The immune system – the body’s defense system – turns against itself.
What are the symptoms?
“Usually one or more small bald patches, about the size of a 50p piece, will appear on the scalp. Hair may grow back in one area while bald spot develops in another. “Hair can also thin all over the head,” says Marilyn Sherlock, chair of the Institute of Trichologists.
What causes it?
“For some reason, the body’s immune system starts attacking its own hair follicles. “Special white blood cells in the body called T lymphocytes cause hair to stop growing,” she adds.
Can worry make it worse?
Stress has been shown to prolong the problem.
Is it a hereditary disease?
There is strong evidence that alopecia, like other autoimmune diseases, runs in families. In around 25 percent of patients, the disease is known to run in the family.
Who gets it?
Alopecia areata usually affects teenagers and young adults, but can also affect people of all ages. It is just as common in men as in women.
Is there a cure?
There is no known cure, although there are various treatments that may be effective for some people.