Jorgie Porter
Actress Jorgie Porter on returning to Hollyoaks, dating while in lockdown and her enviable bod
When we speak to former
Hollyoaks star Jorgie Porter, she is self-isolating at home like the rest of the nation. But far from being bored, the actress is keeping busy by trying to bag a man using the wonders of Facetime. Go girl!
Jorgie tells new that while she’s looking for her perfect match, she’s pretty good at being single too.
“I’m really good at chilling on my own,” she explains. “I don’t miss coming back from work and having a cuddle. But I miss going on holidays with a loved one and travelling together, having a companion and a best mate.”
Having made her name as Theresa Mcqueen on Hollyoaks, Jorgie, 32, is going back to her roots by hosting new series
Hollyoaks Favourites. Alongside best pal Kieron Richardson, she’ll be introducing classic episodes of the soap and was chuffed to be back on set recently.
“I remembered why I used to love the show,” she explains. “Being back was amazing.”
Here, Jorgie reveals all about dating while in lockdown, her body secrets and why she’s fearless...
Hi Jorgie! How are you finding life in lockdown?
I’m actually a homey type. I do love going out and exploring, but sometimes I like to have an excuse not to go to a party.
Have you been thinking about your love life at all?
I was in a gym recently and this guy picked up a gym mat and put it over his shoulder and it literally caught my eye. I was like, is he wearing a cape? And I just fancied that man so much because I thought he was a superhero. I thought he was Batman! I’ve lost my mind about men – I literally fancy every man ever so I had to tone it down and go on a dating app.
Ooh! Have you met anyone nice so far?
I’ve had a Facetime date. It’s quite scary because you think, we’re just gonna sit face to face and say, “Hello, how are you?” It’s kind of awkward, so it’s good to do a creative activity like paint a picture together, which is what we did. It’s cool because you see how much effort they put in. So if they get their paints and canvas ready, you’re like, “Ah, he wants to impress me.”
Cute! Do you ever worry about someone’s intentions as you’re in the public eye?
I forget I’m famous, so when I date men I’m just in a world of, “Oh my God, I love him, he’s amazing.” Then, afterwards, all my friends are like, “No, he’s just into the fame”, so I have to be told what’s real and what isn’t.
What do you look for in a man?
Generosity. They need a job, to drive a car and ideally they’ve got their life together. Preferably older, but I’ve been getting on with younger men recently. I think that’s because I’m immature. I want a man who I can have a laugh with and someone who finds me funny is a big positive. Someone who can just be a bit silly and daft and not take themselves too seriously.
Are you someone who believes in planning out their future?
I’ve always been like, “I want this in three years. I want this car or I want this to happen.” From the age of three when I was doing ballet, I always wanted to be in the West End and then I ticked that box. You have to dream big, so I do make plans. But then I forget about them and think, “Oh, that’ll never happen” and then it does!
You previously told new you don’t see yourself starting a family. Do you still feel that way?
My best friend Kieron and my other best friend Chan have both had twins. They’re like my closest friends that have babies and
I was like, “Oh my God, if I had twins, I would freak out.” I wouldn’t say never, but it’s just not my be all and end all. I’ve never been like, “I just want kids.” If I meet The One, then I think it’ll just naturally happen. What if I have octuplets?!
Ha! What’s your biggest fear?
I’m fearless, because when I did the I’m A Celeb jungle, I wasn’t scared of anything. Well, I was of spiders and creepy crawlies, but now I’m over those fears and I can pick up a cockroach with my hand. I did that while I was in America in front of some guys and they were like, “Whoa!” Stupid people scare me.
You have an amazing body. What’s your secret?
I fluctuate every month. I go up and down. I run, which I hate, but it’s good for your mindset. Once you start running, you’re like, “This will be over soon!” And once I’ve done it, I feel amazing. I do stretches every day too. It just eases your body.
Before self-isolation did you go to the gym regularly, too?
I like the gym, but I love spin classes. They are the greatest
thing ever. I do Soulcycle in London. It’s like you’re running in mid-air and it’s the fastest you’ve ever run. You get rid of all the tension in your body.
Do you feel under pressure to look good because you’re in the public eye?
I like to dress up and look good. There isn’t so much pressure from everybody else, because
I don’t really care, to be quite honest. I do dress scruffily and I like having no make-up on, and anyway, people have seen me at my worst in the jungle, so I just don’t care now.
Did you enjoy doing sexy shoots when you were in Hollyoaks?
I loved them! Back then, it was amazing because the money was great. I literally just posed in my underwear and I could buy my mum a car. I had the best time, but then I’d look at the pictures and go, “That’s not me!”
And you’re back at your old stomping ground presenting Hollyoaks Favourites...
I’m a bit nervous because I know I’m the cringiest person you’ve ever seen in the world. I’m just a bit extra, aren’t I? I’m excited to be back on telly, in a sort of Hollyoaks way. We went to the studios to film it. Going back there absolutely melted my heart, from the cleaners to the security. It’s just like being home.
Jorgie and Kieron Richardson present Hollyoaks Favourites Wednesday to Friday, E4, 7pm