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Being Gail Porter

48 replies

peanutfoldover · 15/01/2020 09:56

Anybody see this?

So hard to see her constantly beating herself up for something she had absolutely no control over.

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Tana433 · 15/01/2020 10:07

Very sad. She just seemed to be apologising to everyone for things that she couldnt help. I thought her dad was a little bit unfeeling too but that mat be a bit judgey. Just felt really sorry for her.

Unbelieveabubble · 15/01/2020 15:29

I really felt for her - clearly been through so much mental anguish and even though the woman at the function told her she was good, she just didn't believe it.

Hope she's through the worst of it. Brave doing the documentary and I think people will see how dreadful mental illness can be. Wish she could see herself as we see her.

KidCaneGoat · 15/01/2020 21:15

Oh my goodness. I really felt for her. She gives herself such a hard time about everything! But seems lovely. Just goes to show that you never know what’s going on behind the scenes. You’d have thought she had it all. Grim watching her reaction to those panel shows. You could see that the comments still hurt. It was like being bullied in public.

Mrsjayy · 15/01/2020 22:36

Ive just finished watching this on I player im quite choked up actually poor gail she has nothing to apologise for yet she kept saying sorry, I hope she is still having a better time of it.

Mrsjayy · 15/01/2020 22:39

Mark lamarr from buzzcocks what a dick he and Sean whats his face were to her!

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peanutfoldover · 16/01/2020 06:30

Mark Lamar was a prick.

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KidCaneGoat · 16/01/2020 06:44

Oh yeah that’s his name. I remember thinking he wasn’t nice at the time

Mrsjayy · 16/01/2020 09:34

I can remember how horrible he was all the time but it was dressed up as "edgy" , totally humilated Gail on tv because she said no to him Sean Hughes was just as bad !

doingeverythingwrong · 16/01/2020 21:52

Watching this now, she is a lovely woman and clearly has no idea why people like her (it's obvious they do). What a very deep thinking, intelligent, sensitive and lovely person.

Daisypod · 16/01/2020 22:41

What channel was this on please?

Mrsjayy · 17/01/2020 08:57

I don't know if it was shown out of bbc scotland on tv but it is on Bbc iplayer.

MrHodgeymaheg · 18/01/2020 11:04

Watched this programme this morning.

I am glad she has done this programme and it must have been really hard for her. I'm sure it will help a lot of people understand what she's been through and hopefully help people experiencing similar problems.

What stood out was how she apologised for everything, but the feeling that I got was that she was really let down by the industry when it was clear she was struggling. She seemed to blame herself instead. I'm sure there were times where she did act irresponsibly, but that's how you act when you are struggling mentally. It can be hard to let go of the past and stop blaming yourself.

FHM were arseholes pulling a stunt like that and Mark Lamar was a proper dick. His ego was obviously dented, but what do you expect a married woman to say to you when you ask her out!

She seems like such a lovely lady and I hope she stays well. I will probably have a read of her book when it comes out.

Mrsjayy · 18/01/2020 11:31

Yes I will be getting her book when it is out. Did anyone catch her breast reduction programme a few years back I think it was around the time of her Big brother she was talking about the FHM stunt on that.

NationMcKinley · 21/01/2020 12:10

I’ve literally just started watching this and already she seems so anxious and vulnerable. I’ve always had a soft spot for Gail: I watched her in a programme years ago where various celebrities shadowed nurses. She was really really good. A complete natural I thought.

I wish her well. I think the industry treated her appallingly.

NumbersStation · 21/01/2020 13:29

Like @Unbelieveabubble said, I wish she could see herself as we see her.

I often think the mark of a person is an ability to have friends who love you for years and love you for exactly who you are. And she has that so is clearly a person people love to have in their life.

I think she seems lovely. A genuine and warm human being. She is a little bit broken but is healing. A lot of us are broken in our own way. It doesn’t and shouldn’t define you.

For you Gail Flowers x

NationMcKinley · 21/01/2020 16:55

She reminded me hugely of a very close friend who has bipolar affective disorder. Precious little self confidence and almost apologising for her very existence. My friend is bloody AMAZING and yet believes herself to be a burden and an embarrassment. She’s anything but this. It makes me so sad.

Poetryinaction · 21/01/2020 21:41

Yes she was so successful but can only focus on the negative. Her inage was projected to promote the sexiest woman thing, and all she cared about was that she wasn't no1 sexy woman on the list.
She comes across so well. So likeable. It's such a shame all that fame didn't work out for her and she has suffered so much over the years.

NationMcKinley · 21/01/2020 21:51

@Poetryinaction - Gail said she had no idea it was going to be projected onto the HoP. That’s what distressed her and exacerbated her severe depression. The bit about not even making No.1 was said as an ironic aside.

Poetryinaction · 21/01/2020 21:59

Yes I see. But it struck me that she was so successful yet never felt adequate. Also, that she was so worried about going home to an empty house, and said she just need a hug. She doesn't seem to have had much family around her. She needs someone to take care of her. Her mum died in 2009 and her dad is in Spain. Her daughter doesn't live with her, and presumably hasn't for a long time, as she was homeless.

Poetryinaction · 21/01/2020 22:00

She mentioned being single and ugly a few times, but she is so likeable and attractive. I'm sure she could meet someone, but she seems to find it very hard to be happy.

NationMcKinley · 21/01/2020 22:21

Yes I agree with both your posts 100% Poetry.

This is what my friend is like. Honestly she’s head turningly gorgeous plus she’s incredibly kind. But zero self confidence or belief Sad

LucheroTena · 21/01/2020 22:30

Gail is one of those people who feel everything very / too deeply. She is lovely and full of empathy and warmth. It must be hard to be in her head. I wanted to reach in the tv and strangle that bloody Mark Lamarr for doing that to her just because she wouldn’t go out with him. I think Gail won that one with exposing his behaviour on her programme though. I hope she can find some peace, when she does her hair will grow back.

Jaggypinecone · 22/01/2020 08:35

I’ve watched half of it, prompted by a pop up ad that appeared on the BBC FB page. I so felt for her but what struck me the most was the relationship between her and her Dad. It really resonated with me because he was just wanting it all to go away and sweep it under the carpet. Phrases like “you let yourself down” FFS, your daughter was ill and that’s what you come out with. Where was the hand holding and support. He then followed up with the comment “but you’re all better now”. No she fucking isn’t you blind fool. Give her your unconditional support and love. Tell her how proud you are of her and recognise and validate her. His final comment of “you can come to me with any problems” just summed it all up for me. Therein leith the issue. She’s been hiding her emotions and feelings all her life ever since her parents split. She’s never had them validated. And little wonder when the underlying message is “wheesht hen, don’t cause us any more worry, and we’ll just pretend everything is fine anyway”. Gail you poor poor thing. You are beautiful, talented and clever. Believe in yourself.

LucheroTena · 22/01/2020 09:17

Yes her dad was not saying the right things, was he? Probably not untypical of his generation. She obviously loved him though and they spoke every day. Strange they hasn’t met up for so long. Maybe she prefers to keep him at a physical distance.

Mrsjayy · 22/01/2020 09:38

Her dad is like a lot of older men I think. Gail forgave him for that there was a lot of love between them even if she hadn't seen him he probably didn't approve of London so never went!