Image: Ian Georgeson Photography
Spotlight · Charity, philanthropy and social impact
Gail Porter
Edinburgh-born broadcaster and campaigner, honoured by Edinburgh Napier University in 2026 for raising awareness of alopecia and for her mental health advocacy.
“My advice to fellow graduates today: do your own thing and believe in yourself.”
Gail Porter, Edinburgh Napier University graduation, October 2026
Key facts
- Presented Live & Kicking, Top of the Pops and The Big Breakfast
- Has raised public awareness of alopecia since losing her hair in 2005
- Ambassador for the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs to children with hair loss
- Honorary Doctor of the University, Edinburgh Napier University, October 2026
Their story
Celebrating Dr Gail Porter
Our second Honorary Doctor this week from Edinburgh Napier University is broadcaster and campaigner Gail Porter.
Edinburgh Napier made Gail an Honorary Doctor of the University at its autumn graduations in the Usher Hall. The award recognises her work raising public awareness of alopecia and her advocacy on mental health. She addressed graduates from the School of Applied Sciences and the School of Health and Social Care.
An Edinburgh broadcaster Gail was born in Edinburgh in 1971 and grew up in Joppa. She began on Children's BBC Scotland and went on to present Live & Kicking, Top of the Pops and The Big Breakfast. From 2004 to 2006 she presented three series of Dead Famous. More recently she narrated BBC Scotland's Inside the Zoo and co-presented Spooked Scotland. Her autobiography, Laid Bare, was published in 2007.
Speaking openly Gail developed alopecia in 2005 and chose not to wear a wig or hat, to raise awareness of the condition. The BBC One documentary Gail Porter Laid Bare followed her in 2006. She is an ambassador for the Little Princess Trust, which provides wigs to children with hair loss, and supports Prince William's Homewards programme, which aims to prevent homelessness. She has spoken publicly about her mental health and her own experience of homelessness, and gave a talk at Edinburgh Napier during Mental Health Awareness Week in 2020.
Professor Jill Stavert, Lead of the University's Centre for Mental Health Practice, Policy and Law Research, said: "Her career journey and her honesty in openly discussing her own vulnerabilities speak volumes."
Accepting her honour, Gail said: "It means everything to be back in Edinburgh."