Chatting to Gok Wan, it’s not hard to see why he’s one of our most beloved TV personalities. The fashion guru, DJ and presenter, 50, wears his heart on his sleeve – and whether it’s a fun anecdote or a sad story, you know he’ll speak from the heart.
This time, the subject is a tough one. In May, Gok lost his best friend, Allison Gordon Parry, who had lived with stage 4 breast cancer for many years. As he talks about it, he wipes away a tear and apologises for being “so bloody emotional”. But it’s testament to the special bond between two people who adored each other.
Gok admits he’s so angry that cancer took Ali before her time. Now he’s turning his heartache into a positive with the upcoming release of charity single Deeper Love (A Tribute To Allison), with all profits going to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Here, he opens up about grief, turning 50 and why his beloved Ali will always be by his side…
Gok, how are you doing?
Losing family members when they’re old is sad, but it’s different to losing someone before their time. It’s unexpected and it’s made me evaluate mortality. But it also fired something up in me. I’m probably naughtier, more outrageous and louder than ever. But I’m utterly heartbroken I’ve lost her. I tear up thinking about her. I still talk to her.
What was Ali like?
Ali was and always will be my best friend. We met over a decade ago in Australia. She was manager for a brand I was the face of and we hit it off instantly. It was a love affair. We always said she was my wife and I was her husband. It was that kind of relationship – just without the sex! We liked the same music, shared a similar sense of humour, ethics. She’s the person I’d run to when I needed advice, a cry or a laugh.
It must have been terrible to find out she had cancer…
Devastating. She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer almost seven years ago. It all started in my car one day, driving to panto. I was about to get on stage dressed as a fairy, jumping around entertaining kids, when she said, “I’ve got a lump.” I said, “It’s fine, it’s going to be a cyst!” We made lewd jokes about it. Turns out, it wasn’t fine and her cancer journey began.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1732598464/articles/LFgaO8xe21732603405143/6232151279.jpg]
Did you get a tattoo in her honour?
I got a few. I got a little “A” behind my ear while she was alive. We spoke very candidly about the day she would go and what would happen after. I said I’d put her next to my ear, so I’d always hear her. And God, she used to talk… Then I got a fruit machine with a little melon and her initials AGP on it after she died. The last conversation we had, I said you have to promise me two things when you’re in the afterlife – first, you’ll never watch me have sex. Second, you always need to bring me luck!
Tell us about the charity single you’re releasing...
Ali loved music and came to parties with me when I was DJing. She’d get on stage and sing with me. So when she passed, I decided this wasn’t going to be in vain – we’re going to continue to help people. Ali had me, a great family. The devastating reality is, many people go through this without any support. This is where the tears subside and the joy comes in – I’m like a dog with a bone with this track! I’m going to raise so much money for Macmillan....
This time, the subject is a tough one. In May, Gok lost his best friend, Allison Gordon Parry, who had lived with stage 4 breast cancer for many years. As he talks about it, he wipes away a tear and apologises for being “so bloody emotional”. But it’s testament to the special bond between two people who adored each other.
Gok admits he’s so angry that cancer took Ali before her time. Now he’s turning his heartache into a positive with the upcoming release of charity single Deeper Love (A Tribute To Allison), with all profits going to Macmillan Cancer Support.
Here, he opens up about grief, turning 50 and why his beloved Ali will always be by his side…
Gok, how are you doing?
Losing family members when they’re old is sad, but it’s different to losing someone before their time. It’s unexpected and it’s made me evaluate mortality. But it also fired something up in me. I’m probably naughtier, more outrageous and louder than ever. But I’m utterly heartbroken I’ve lost her. I tear up thinking about her. I still talk to her.
What was Ali like?
Ali was and always will be my best friend. We met over a decade ago in Australia. She was manager for a brand I was the face of and we hit it off instantly. It was a love affair. We always said she was my wife and I was her husband. It was that kind of relationship – just without the sex! We liked the same music, shared a similar sense of humour, ethics. She’s the person I’d run to when I needed advice, a cry or a laugh.
It must have been terrible to find out she had cancer…
Devastating. She was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer almost seven years ago. It all started in my car one day, driving to panto. I was about to get on stage dressed as a fairy, jumping around entertaining kids, when she said, “I’ve got a lump.” I said, “It’s fine, it’s going to be a cyst!” We made lewd jokes about it. Turns out, it wasn’t fine and her cancer journey began.
image [https://cdn.magzter.com/1583506613/1732598464/articles/LFgaO8xe21732603405143/6232151279.jpg]
Did you get a tattoo in her honour?
I got a few. I got a little “A” behind my ear while she was alive. We spoke very candidly about the day she would go and what would happen after. I said I’d put her next to my ear, so I’d always hear her. And God, she used to talk… Then I got a fruit machine with a little melon and her initials AGP on it after she died. The last conversation we had, I said you have to promise me two things when you’re in the afterlife – first, you’ll never watch me have sex. Second, you always need to bring me luck!
Tell us about the charity single you’re releasing...
Ali loved music and came to parties with me when I was DJing. She’d get on stage and sing with me. So when she passed, I decided this wasn’t going to be in vain – we’re going to continue to help people. Ali had me, a great family. The devastating reality is, many people go through this without any support. This is where the tears subside and the joy comes in – I’m like a dog with a bone with this track! I’m going to raise so much money for Macmillan....
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New UK (Digital) - 1 Issue, December 02, 2024