E-mail message of 13 May 2003:
Graham and his wife, Sue, (no children) live and work in Chelsea in London,
and own a small restaurant group. They have two large German Shepherds called
Storm and Major that accompanied them from Johannesburg to London in
April 1994.
More recent news from 2004:
Graham has taken part in the Channel 4 reality TV shows called The Salon
and Fit Farm. See the articles below.
E-mail message of 15 March 2005:
Graham (now legally known as Gail) is settling in to a new life as a woman,
and is involved in television and writing work regarding the experience of
becoming a woman in London today.
Makeover Memories 09 March 2004
The Salon may be closed for business but rest assured that a little piece
of its history will go on to further reality TV glory. If you have been
watching Channel 4's new reality show Fit Farm you may recognise one face
in particular, that of Gail. The 44-year-old South African was the first
and perhaps most memorable Client to be welcomed into The Salon's legendary
transformation boudoir for a dramatic makeover.
Gail, formerly known as Graham, is a pre-op transsexual who arrived at The Salon many moons ago hoping its talented team could endow her with a more feminine look.
During her day of indulgence Gail, who was married for many years, talked candidly about her reasons for wanting to become a woman and how coming to terms with this has affected her life.
"Apparently I told my grandmother when I was six that I wanted to be a girl," she told the team. "Being a transsexual isn't something you go to the corner shop and buy! If I could get rid of it tomorrow, I'd do it...I'm not on any rights campaign."
Having turned up dressed as Graham in jeans, a shirt and baseball cap, she left as Gail clad in a little black dress, knee high boots with honey coloured highlights and a huge grin.
The change was not theatrical but subtle and understated. It was certainly a successful transformation, however one day was perhaps not long enough for the dramatic revamp Gail was looking for. This would necessitate not only a new makeup routine and some highlights but a complete change in lifestyle, ready for her gender reassignment surgery next year.
Cue The Fit Farm, a 12-week programme dedicated to helping 10 members of the public achieve their personal lifestyle goals. The Fit Farm has a Fitness Trainer, a Dietician and a Life Coach ready to pick up where The Salon left off and help Gail achieve not only a more feminine image but a new way of life.
To catch up on Gail's progress check out the Fit Farm website.
THE FIT FARM (A reality TV show on Channel 4)
Aired daily 2004, C4 and E4
Reality show set in a luxury health resort where 10 people are pampered,
treated, nagged and encouraged over 12 weeks as they become Sunday-Thursday
residents and aim to win the œ10,000 awarded to the guest who makes the
greatest personal achievement. The staff, including a fitness instructor,
a dietician and a life coach, oversee daily fitness classes, weekly
weigh-ins, and a series of tough physical and psychological challenges.
The guests ...
Gail, 44, a business consultant from Chelsea, London
Weight: 15st 6lbs
Height: 5'10"
Goal: To get fit for her sex change operation and achieve a more feminine look
Biography:
South African born Gail is a 44-year-old business consultant who lives
in Chelsea, London. She's also a male to female pre-op transsexual.
Having spent several years in the army, Gail was married for many years
before coming to terms with her inner feelings of wanting to be a woman.
With an operation planned for next year, Gail is looking forward to
becoming a real woman. She currently weighs 17st 0lbs but wants to
transform her figure so that she looks more feminine.
Channel 4 goes to 'The Fit Farm'The Fit Farm will go out in the same 7am and 6pm slots as The Salon from Monday March 8, preceded by a one-hour primetime launch show on Sunday March 7 at 9pm.
Ten guests have signed up for the twelve-week regime, including 29st Adil who is too obese to start a family, 9st Marc who wants to lose his puny look and 15st Gail who wants to get fit for a sex change operation.
Throughout the series the ten guests will live together in a luxury country house from Sunday to Thursday and go home at weekends. The Fit Farm staff - including a dietician, a fitness instructor and a life coach - will give the guests a complete overhaul of mind, body and soul.
At the end of the series there will be a £10,000 cash prize up for grabs
to the guest who "makes the greatest personal achievement."
Married to: Was married to Sue
Children: None
Occupation: Restaurateur and company director, Business consultant
Address: Chelsea, London, UK
Phone (H):
Phone (W):
E-mail: GailJaneSu@aol.com (was GrahamHarris@aol.com)