Ever since Britain's hot-blooded men stopped crunching their breakfast cereal to drool over the first nude tabloid nymph, the Page Three girl has caused a sensation - one way or another. Men couldn't get enough. Women took one glance at their drooping, post-child bust-line and comfort-ate the cereal he'd left in his bowl.
Men saw it all as a bit of harmless fun. Feminists in particular saw it as degrading to women, accessible pornography and a potential trigger for sexual attacks. The debates and divisions have never really been settled, but for many, including Melinda Messenger Linda Lusardi and Gail McKenna, it was the perfect springboard to stardom.
"I've never had a plan," remarks Gail, the model-turned presenter. "It really has just happened. I know that's a cliche. As John Lennon once said: Life's what happens when you're busy making plans. I do believe that. I don't pretend to plan life. Just when it looks like things are going quiet, something else happens. So the last 10 years have been varied."
The 30-year-old mum knew from the outset she had more to offer than just a pretty face and the obvious assets. She took to TV cameras as well as as she did glamour photography. "When I was a kid, I desperately wanted to go to stage school. I wanted to be famous but I don't know for what reason because I hate being recognised, so it�s a complete contradiction but, I'm really shy and withdrawn, believe it or not."
Long before Gail started getting her kit off for a living, she was obsessed with kit of a different variety. While growing up in Liverpool, Gail and her family were devoted football fans and she looks back on those days with much fondness.
"It was different in those days because the stadiums were different," she remarks. "I think football grounds are a lot safer places to be now. I've actually been quite frightened going to football matches. Especially when you're standing on the terraces and there's this surge forward. I have scary memories of Anfield."
Now based in South London, Gail has spent the last few years getting used to hitting her mark and cope with the problems of live TV.
"I did a live sports show on cable for about a year and I've done a bit of acting before. I did a part in Brookside for a while and I did some kids TV which is all good experience.
"I don't find it worrying anymore, except when things are going wrong. Live telly can throw you on the spot. If the technicians are meant to be running something and it goes wrong, that can be scary. This is where your knowledge comes into play. You have to know what's going on." As for the future, she's committed to Channel 5. At least for the next few years anyway. "That's how long my contract is, but I see my life much more as my family life than my career. So I'm looking forward to w