Finding that elusive soulmate can be a challenge especially if you’ve been through some difficult relationships. Yet Cupid’s arrow can strike when you least expect it. That’s certainly the case for celebrity defence lawyer Nick Freeman, aka Mr Loophole, and TV presenter and property developer Melissa Porter who share a home at Mere
How did you meet each other?
Melissa: Reluctantly. I’d been selectively single for several years and a single mum to Pierce. We had a fun life filled full of adventures and I wanted someone to add value in a way that made sense to me. Sounds ruthless? Well, some people date for security, some date with the end goal of being marriage, some for a child and some because they loathe being single and feeling lonely. These considerations were all irrelevant to me. I needed none of the above and desired only to love my partner, not for what he offered me but instead for who he was – his personality.
My mother told me I was too picky. I’d turned down dates with George Clooney, Leonardo Ferragamo and one old friend wondered if I was a lesbian. Nope. Then out of the blue two long-standing pals of Nick's were invited to a chef’s table dinner in France that Pierce and I were also invited to. It was a fun evening filled full of laughter and delicious food and we all departed. A few weeks later they sent me a surprise suggestion of an offer to date Nick. I declined. Then several months on a gentleman crashed into my car and began an annoyingly complicated litigious process against me. Nick popped into my head so I contacted him hoping for quality advice. His reply to me was not reflective of who I assumed he might be – a little dull and boring. He invited me for a coffee in California (sadly not LA but instead the delightful coffee shop in Altrincham) and the rest is history.
Nick: A good friend tried to fix me up and I was excited because she was introduced as looking like a supercharged version of my first fiancée. I sat on the number for three days and when I called received no reply except for a text message from Melissa: ‘my personal circumstances have changed and it would no longer be appropriate for us to meet.' I thought what a nutcase, I’m well out of it was secretly sad as I sensed she was special. I used to read her Cheshire Life columns and found her intriguing. Several months later I spotted a direct message on my Twitter, feed that had been there for an age (I’m not a social media guy) from Melissa seeking legal advice after having had an accident. What a chutzpah and how I enjoyed responding to her request for my advice. ‘You want my advice? You probably ought to have gone out on a date with me,’ and then I suggested she might reconsider some of her poor choices in life.
I was the perfect gentleman and gave her legal advice pro bono. Signing off with a strategic line: ‘still sulking, Nick.' And luckily for both of us, she grabbed the bait and she and my late Staffy George met for lunch in Altrincham. I saw a black Merc honk the horn in an assertive way. The car stopped and out stepped this vision. The deal was sealed when she allowed George, without a second thought, to get in the car and drive the short distance to California. Melissa has no airs and graces and is the most down-to-earth breath of fresh air.
Melissa, most people will know you from presenting shows like To Buy or Not To Buy and Escape To The Country. How did you get your break in TV?
Again via someone else’s recommendation. James Moss my boss at the time owned a relocation agency in Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge and hired me to advise American wealth managers and their families how to move their entire lives into central London from overseas. I was really good at my job and loved the smart people I was interacting with and the environments I was moving around in. One day Endemol (TV production company) called James and explained they were scouting for a presenter to host a prime-time BBC show designed to help people relocate their UK lives to countries all around the world. James suggested me spontaneously for the role and the rest is history. I spent the next decade hosting pretty much all the property shows across terrestrial channels. A lot of fun.
You love to renovate and design properties, what have been your most challenging project(s)?
My own homes, as I design to include only pieces that bring me and my family absolute joy. This takes time as each experience is unique and it takes patience and devotion to curate a home you love versus one that looks generically good. As a designer I’m aware of the trends and where to buy pieces that work as part of an overall scheme; that’s the easy part. What’s less easy is to coexist with a piece and to feel its energy and how it works as part of your daily routine and your family. I love artisans and iconic pieces that you can feel and absorb memories from. Last year I completed a new build at 279 Kings Road in Chelsea. I was the lead designer working alongside a superstar team of architects and project managers. It was 50,000 sq ft area including communal areas and multiple uniquely shaped apartments. That was a tricky project in so much as I am extremely picky about who I work alongside and surround myself with. Based on the scale of the project, it seemed suppliers had much to lose and I noticed some were ruthless in their pursuit of winning my contract. It seemed the potential job was worth a lot of money to them and that integrity didn’t always play a part of their process. I learned that I don’t share the same values with some and that it’s OK to be ruthless right back and to delete any contacts who don’t behave as I require from my black book.
What plans and projects have you got for 2023?
I waited my entire life to meet Nick. I had a childhood dream I would meet one man and fall in love forever with him and we get along very well and like to spend as much of our free time being together. We have a lot of fun together – silly childlike fun. It’s always an adventure because we are both interested in so much stuff. Apart from when he’s working; then he becomes Mr Loophole and very very serious. It’s his Beyoncé alter ego.
I also have a private coaching practice I began almost five years ago, helping individuals leave relationships they don’t love, elping them develop better relationships with their children. Supporting them in achieving their dreams. I’m obsessed with the feeling of fulfilment that only became evident to me after my very first coaching session. My clients feel this too and it’s like a tap of energy inside of you that I can show you how to release: life’s elixir.
I’ve started advising a local charity, Homestart Trafford, Salford and Wigan, which provides volunteer-led support to mainly young families experiencing a range of day-to-day pressures. This is an area that is close to my heart and in which I believe I can help to effect positive change. (http://hsts.org.uk)
You both have children from previous relationships but Nick, you’re in the process of adopting Melissa’s son Pierce. How did this come about and what reaction have you had from family and friends?
Nick: Pierce and I bonded on our first meeting, which was only about 10 days after I first met Melissa. He loves golf, cars, chess and dogs, the same as me. About a year down the road, aged nine, he advised me that while my children were ‘made by me, he was ‘made for me’ and how right he was. Reaction from family and friends has been incredibly positive as I would expect and I have an adopted brother and my grandparents took in a boy from the Kindertransport. Adoption was something I’ve always wanted to do and this is a very natural process with Pierce, as he considers me as his father and I treat him in every respect as my second son. Did I imagine that aged 66 the alarm would go at 6.45 each morning and the Manchester Grammar School bus would stop at my gates? No: Man plans and God laughs. I feel totally fulfilled and have no doubt we are all doing the right thing. Melissa and I are a formidable co-parenting team.
Melissa: Honestly the only people’s opinions of value in an adoption process, after Nick and I made the decision to go down this road, are Pierce's biological father, obviously Pierce and Nick’s two kids. Nick and I have a small and solid group of pals around us who we love. Anyone opposing an adoption between two loving people can only question their own motives. Right?
Melissa, as a fellow 1972 baby you turned 50 back in December 2022, how was your birthday and do you have an agenda for the next decade?
Nick's birthday day is the 23rd so we’re five days apart and generally quite antisocial. We’re out all the time working so any opportunity to stay in is welcomed. As I mentioned we spend our time together and decided we love our pals and would love to celebrate them, so we planned a joint birthday party celebrating 116 years of life. It coincided with the holidays so we celebrated that too. We’re both mischievous and irreverent and decided on a Playboy-themed glamorous party with a sexy burlesque dancer (missbabydaisy.com) and a superb caterer (tomrobertschef.com). We invited a small group as wanted a certain vibe and as we looked around our rooms we were reminded how lucky we are to be surrounded by superstars. Not in the literal form but their personalities are superb.
Nick, as a high-profile, prolific solicitor for many years, how did you find yourself specialising in motoring law?
I came to Manchester in 1981 to prosecute for the police and dealt with very serious crimes. I started defending in 1983 and again dealt with many serious criminals and criminal offences. It was all legal aid work with derisory rates. However, occasionally there would be a drink driving charge and they pay privately (£500) and I didn’t lose a case for several years. It was then a case of supply and demand and eventually, I was swamped with people who wanted me to defend them for criminal road traffic cases. It made complete financial sense to do this type of work since not only was the remuneration much greater but it had the complexity of the law and the theatre of the courtroom. In 2010 I was named the UK’s highest-profile lawyer by Sweet & Maxwell (legal books publisher). I still love the job and have no plans whatsoever to hang up my boots.
How did the nickname Mr Loophole come about and how did you feel about it?
It used to give me sleepless nights. I was bought up by my parents to be honest and truthful and this nickname suggested something quite contrary to that – something devious and underhand. However, the press baptised me with it and one particular day I read in the Ashton Gazette about a local solicitor who had won his first case and was referred to as the local Mr Loophole. I was indignant and almost felt betrayed. I instantaneously realised the value of the name and set about having it trademarked, a first for any lawyer and from a commercial perspective it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done. Mr Loophole is my public face as a lawyer, and people recognise me as him, as opposed to Nick Freeman. I set up on my own in January 1999 and during the first year successfully defended Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham, arguing interesting legal points that fascinated the media. I was followed by the media on a daily basis who were captivated by my arguments. I have since learned to love the nickname, although it’s hardly up there with the late George Carman, aka The Great Defender.
Nick, you're 66 and look fantastic how do you look after yourself?
Thank you. I have always believed in fit body, fit brain. Melissa and I enjoy a healthy balanced regime of exercise, diet and no booze or substance abuse. We naturally enjoy healthy food and are blessed with good genes.
Melissa, how do you keep fit?
I love Carrie Fannon who owns Knutsford Reformer Pilates. I take her fun classes twice a week, and walk daily. I meditate daily. I stroke my crystals. I never engage with drama and gossip and chose pals who have their schnitzel together. That’s not to say we don’t cry together or have problems but we take responsibility for our life versus causing stress with endless dramas. You can see some people carry the weight of the world in their faces, can’t you? We all need to worry less and to laugh more. Nick’s very good at laughing at himself. That’s how we roll fitness-wise.
What are your health and beauty regimes?
Melissa: Belly laughter, Clarins Double Serum (I smother it on), and anything by Clé de Peau Beauté.
Nick: Rob Ryder at Bert and Bert in Altrincham cuts my hair every fortnight. Playing in the fresh air with Manny, our five-month-old bull terrier, and the Estée Lauder Night Repair Synchronized Multi-Recovery Complex
Are you romantic?
Melissa: Not in the sense, I sense you mean. Does Nick whisk me off to Paris spontaneously or book a table at my favourite restaurant? Nope and nope. Nick is my best friend – the person I’d trust most with everything I value – someone I can spend weeks with and never get bored. I know he’d buy me anything I wanted and take me anywhere my heart desires. Fortunately for him, I’m fascinated with us understanding our non-material needs –, about feeling fulfilled in our lives and about connecting with our kids. He’s the most loving man ever in this sense. I’m happy to buy my own candles and surprise presents. I won the prize when I met Nick. He’s tough and ruthless in pursuit of the truth, which keeps me on my toes and if you said I could swap all of that for romance, no thanks.
Nick: It depends what you mean by romance. Constant connection and understanding is high on my agenda with Melissa. As is fun and frolicking. Weekly flowers and candlelit dinners aren’t my thing and in my past were bought out of duty. Melissa has learned to respect that.
What does love mean to each of you?
Melissa: What a lovely question for the Valentine's edition of Cheshire Life. The meaning of love has evolved over the years for me. It used to mean that if my partner was romantic, he loved me. My life experiences and maturity have helped me shape my understanding of the word and today it represents change and freedom. To love me is to let me be who I chose to be. If I want to travel alone for a few days, I know Nick’s not jealous and is always supportive. If I want to talk through a tricky challenge we’re encountering, I know Nick has the emotional maturity and patience to do so. I won the prize. He’s also the only man who’s never told me I’m a hard woman to love. Nick is one in a million.
Nick: It means both of us being able to be our true selves; embracing each other’s personality and character rather than criticising and shaming it. Melissa is the first woman I’ve met with whom I can simply be me.
What’s been the most romantic gesture you have made to one another?
Melissa: After about a year of us dating he came to me and suggested he’d like me to consider him adopting Pierce, which was a complete, left-field shock. We’d never discussed it and it came as a complete surprise to me. (I’ve already explained Nick doesn’t do surprises and tells me most of what he’s thinking.)
I suggested to Nick we slow down and keep talking about it for another year with our kids, and together, to see how it unfolds. Before I met Nick I’d actively decided to stay single for several years to work on me and I decided that when I met someone Pierce and I were both happy with, he’d love Pierce as much as he loved me. This was non-negotiable for me. The universe is good. On that surprise-filled day, I felt I had finally made good choices to attract a man who could love another man’s child as much as I love him.
Nick: Melissa allows me to be me and loves me for it. I can do literally anything I want and there is no judgment. Melissa has given me another chance at parenting. My first two children are my pride and joy and I’m looking forward to co-parenting with Melissa
Melissa, if you could change one thing about Nick, what would it be?
It depends on the day you ask me. If you change anything about a human they become a different human. I’m not a gambler and wouldn’t risk Nick changing as I love the Nick I have now. So, why risk him changing into something I don’t love? I’ll keep him as he is, please. Plus, eternally healthy.
What are your favourite places in Cheshire?
Great Budworth, and the George and Dragon, which is dog friendly
Tatton Park. We love going there with our dog Manny. We can walk for miles and see nobody
Delamere Forest Golf Club (where Pierce and Nick play). It’s an oasis of tranquillity and beauty.
If you could give your younger self any advice, what would it be?
Melissa: If you keep having the same problems in each of your relationships, you are the problem. Hire a coach.
Nick: Be patient and wait for your soulmate. They’ll come when you’re least expecting it. It has happened to me.
