Pawnbroking for the posh without dosh

May 5, 2014 by admin
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Some TV shows seem purpose-built for workplace discussions the morning after they’re aired – those classic “water-cooler moments” which we just can’t wait to relive over again with our colleagues.

That’s not so much the case with Posh Pawn – even though it’s packed with plenty of memorable moments which we’d love to get off our chests the next day, no one wants to run the risk of being overheard and misunderstood while talking about ‘watching Posh Pawn last night’. That’s how rumours – and HR reports – start.

This show is certainly worth talking about – if only because the pawnbroker in question, James Constantinou of Prestige Pawnbrokers, is so entirely unlike what one might expect from someone in his line of work.

Mind you, his clientele tend to differ wildly from your average Cash Converters punter, too.

Situated in a lucrative area of Surrey, Prestige demonstrates that when it comes to cashflow issues, no one is immune – and sometimes the more people have, the more they need.

This week sees an outgoing former model by the name of Cathy come to the store, seeking James’ help. She’s keen to set up her own business selling an innovative new line of lingerie, but she’s lacking the capital required to get it off the ground.

Can she convince James that her collection of designer bags and jewellery is sufficient collateral for a £50,000 loan?

Certainly, she’s due a break – although she used to work alongside the likes of Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell on catwalks around the world, she became ill after the birth of her two daughters.

Diagnosed with Cushing’s syndrome, she spent many years blighted with abnormal weight gain.

Now free from the condition, she’s looking for a fresh start – so fingers crossed the Prestige boss can help.

That’s if he’s not too busy with his own problems, of course – for this week finds him attracting some unwanted attention after taking a client’s Ferrari out for a spin.

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Michael Portillo photographed leaving flat of young female researcher from …

May 5, 2014 by admin
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Michael Portillo photographed leaving flat of researcher on his BBC show
Erica Gornall, 26, is 34 years younger than the married ex-Tory minister
The pair were seen twice in affluent Primrose Hill, London, this week
Both Ms Gornall and Mr Portillo say they are just colleagues and friends

By
Tania Steere
and Sam Marsden

Published:

13:20 EST, 4 May 2014

|
Updated:

15:54 EST, 4 May 2014

Michael Portillo steps out in the spring sunshine with a female researcher from one of his TV shows who is 34 years his junior.

The married former Tory Cabinet Minister was photographed leaving Erica Gornall’s flat in affluent Primrose Hill in north-west London.

Looking relaxed, the pair walked away side by side with their hands in their pockets, mirroring each other’s body language.

Stepping out: Married BBC presenter Michael Portillo, 60, is seen leaving the London flat of Great British Railway Journeys researcher Erica Gornall, aged 26

Mr Portillo, 60, and Miss Gornall, 26,
who insist they are just good friends, got to know each other when she
worked on his popular BBC2 series Great British Railway Journeys in
2011.

The ex-Conservative MP
was dressed casually in dark blue trousers with an open-necked bright
blue shirt and a grey tweed jacket when he met Miss Gornall at her home
in the heart of the fashionable London district, which has been home to
Kate Moss, Jude Law and the Miliband brothers.

The
accomplished young journalist, who has also worked on the BBC’s
Panorama, Watchdog and Newsnight programmes, opted for a pale outfit of
white jeans, a cream trenchcoat and a light pink pashmina.

They were seen together again two nights later walking to Primrose Hill’s acclaimed Michael Nadra restaurant for dinner.

Mr
Portillo, this time wearing a more formal combination of a white shirt
and dark tie with a black overcoat, walked Miss Gornall home and bade
her goodnight with a kiss on the cheek, the Sunday Mirror reported.

Twice in a week: Mr Portillo and Ms Gornall were seen together again two days later when they visited a local restaurant in Primrose Hill

Michael Portillo has been married to Carolyn Eadie since 1982, but has allegedly had several affairs during their 32 years together (pictured: the couple in 2003)

The
Cambridge-educated former defence secretary has been married to his
wife Carolyn since 1982, although in 1999 he spoke of how he had
‘homosexual experiences’ as a young man.

Over
the years there have been several reports alleging that he had affairs,
including claims that he was romantically involved with the unnamed
wife of a millionaire banker, a former lingerie model and a Hungarian
blonde.

Mr Portillo has
forged a successful career in the media since he famously lost his seat
at the 1997 general election and stood down as an MP for good in 2005.

As
well as his long-running series celebrating the romance of classic
train journeys in the UK and beyond, he has regularly appeared on BBC
politics discussion show This Week and BBC Radio 4 ethical debate
programme The Moral Maze.

He could not be reached for comment today, but he told the Sunday Mirror that he and Miss Gornall were just friends.

Miss
Gornall studied at the London School of Economics, where she wrote for
the university paper The Beaver and broadcast for its station Pulse
Radio, according to a profile on her website.

After
graduating, she ‘swapped student politics for Westminster’ by becoming a
researcher for veteran BBC political documentary-maker Michael
Cockerell.

She dismissed any suggestions that she was romantically involved with Mr Portillo yesterday (Sun).

Speaking
from her parents’ semi-detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac in Eynsham,
Oxfordshire, she said: ‘We are just friends. We have known each other
for quite a while and we are very good friends, but just friends and
that is all it is.’