Gail PorterGail PorterTV presenter Gail Porter unveiled a new hairdo - a startling red mohican haircut - at a fashion show in London last night.

But rather than some radical fashion statement, there's a sad story behind the new 'do.

Gail - who's had a turbulent 12 months - revealed that she is suffering from alopecia, a condition which causes hair loss.

"I was in Los Angeles a month ago filming a television show when one morning I woke up and pretty much all of my hair had fallen out," she told the Daily Mail.

"I was terrified and completely shocked. I went to a doctor who told me that I was suffering from alopecia.

"He told me that it is the result of stress and that there is no cure."

Gail with husband DanWith ex-husband Dan HipgraveRather than cover up with a wig or hat, however, Gail decided to do something a bit different with her remaining hair.

"At first I didn't want to go outside," she said.

"But in the end, I decided to show everyone that I'm bald, I'm not afraid and this isn't going to beat me."

Gail hasn't had a great time lately, suffering post-natal depression after the birth of her daughter Honey in 2003.

Earlier this year, she took an overdose following the break-up of her marriage to musician Dan Hipgrave.

But now things are getting better for Gail, whose naked form was once famously projected onto the Houses Of Parliament.

She's got a new show, Dead Famous Lives, on Living TV - and a new boyfriend, cameraman James Lloyd.

And he thinks her new look is "stunning".

"She's really beautiful and with her new hair looks like a cross between Pebbles from The Flintstones and Tank Girl," he said.