TV presenter Gail Porter set to join bar staff at Duke of Hamilton pub

Published: 03 March 2011
by DAN CARRIER

GAIL Porter, once the darling of lads’ mags and TV shows, has a new job – and it is serving up ales in one of Hampstead’s oldest pubs.

The TV presenter, who is now a big hit on the stand-up comedy circuit, has volunteered her pint-pouring skills for the new owner of the Duke of Hamilton, in New End.

The pub had recently closed for a £150,000 re-fit after being bought by real ale fan Steve Coxshall. Steve is a good friend of the Belsize Park-based celebrity, and when she heard he was buying one of her favourite locals, she said she’d love to pull a few pints and generally help out.

She said: “I have done bar work before and I really love the camaraderie. I basically want to come in, serve behind the bar and have a laugh.”

The pair met through a mutual friend, the Boyzone singer Stephen Gateley. Pop star Stephen and Steve – who is also a song writer – used to hang out before the singer’s untimely death in 2009.

Mr Coxhsall recalled: “Stephen was one of my best mates and we used to hang out a lot together. One day Gail showed up and, to be honest, I fancied her and tried to chat her up. She didn’t realise and instead we just became very good friends.”