The programme was originally broadcast on 7 November 2008. By The Newsroom 10th Apr 2014, 1:00am Michael Portillo Aged 7 Years (right) with his three brothers, dad and. , yasmin jan anjum (@yasminjananjum) July 23, 2020, Im not sure what I find more interesting about Michael Portillos continental railway journeys, the actual train journeys or his colourful clothes, https://twitter.com/liarpoliticians/status/1288551316139192323, WATCH GREAT CONTINENTAL RAILWAY JOURNEY ON BBC TWO, AND GET FREAKY WITH US ONINSTAGRAMANDFACEBOOK. His birth sign is Gemini. Michael Portillo, who is known for his colourful jackets, also pictured with wife Carolyn Eadie, Michael Portillo in a colourful suit jacket, Michael Portillo in his earlier days, back in 1997, Michael Portillo often presents travel and history themed shows on TV following a career as a Tory, Johannes Radebe 'in love' after Strictly John Whaite changed his life, Stacey Solomon issues apology for 'anticlimax' in Joe Swash update, Piers Morgan shut down by Queen with epic quip, Monty Don bids farewell in "personal conclusion" to BBC series, Will miss you Naga Munchetty bids farewell to BBC Breakfast co-star, Heartbroken Adele breaks down as she's forced to cancel shows, Amanda Holden, 50, risks revealing too much in figure-hugging blouse, Yvette Mimieux dead: Prolific star 'found dead' days after 80th bday, Judi Dench suffered frightful fall at home alone. Michael Portillo has known the ups-and-downs of the political greasy pole more than most. What is relevant is, have you grown up, and I have.". Michael Portillo brings Life: A Game of Two Halves, to Open, 20 Bank Plain, Norwich, on Sunday, March 19 at 3pm. 18 September 2002. [58] From 2002 onwards, Portillo developed an active career in media, both as a commentator on public affairs and as a writer and/or presenter of television and radio documentaries. The Baztan Trilogy, Dolores Redondo are we ready? Two of the children are shown as "ZZ" and one as an "MZ". Portillo was born in Bushey, Hertfordshire, to an exiled Spanish republican father, Luis Gabriel Portillo (19071993)[3] and a Scottish mother, Cora Waldegrave (ne Blyth; 19192014). Here is The Observer guide to the many reinventions of the man . Star Michael Portillo See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist Episodes 4 Browse episodes 1 Season 2022 Photos Add photo Top cast Maybe he's off to a spring garden party after a long day of looking at tiny ships and stern gentlemen?, Sarah says: I like to call this one, 'Muggle substitute teacher's first day at Hogwart's'. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Michael Portillo Height Michael stands at a height of 5 feet and 11 inches (1.81 m). All of the attention has led Michael to become quite fashion forward and, after decades of politician power-dressing in muted tones of black or navy, he is now relishing the chance to try his hand at showbiz style. Gove further reveals that: "Fellows and undergraduates were given girls' names; parties were organised in meadows a little out of town, and cross-dressing was encouraged." Sammuel Gill hanged himself last Christmas after . To celebrate his birthday, we discover 6 things you probably didn't know about him. Meanwhile, a Thomas Pink shirt was reduced to 7.99 which originally cost 59 at the time. [95] He currently hosts a Friday evening programme on politics, culture and history. Portillo lost his seat in Enfield to Labour's Stephen Twigg in the 1997 General Election. [9] He was educated at Stanburn Primary School in Stanmore, Greater London, and Harrow County School for Boys[10] and then won a scholarship to Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he studied history. The opening sequence was a skit on Back to the Future (prompted by the Labour manifesto) with Portillo playing Marty McFly and AFN playing the Doc. Weve done some digging and found out more about the hosts style. Former politician turned broadcaster Michael Portillo, 68, is a familiar face on our screens. If you cannot see the animation to the left, you may obtain the plug-in for free at macromedia.com . Does anyone know where he gets his blazers of many, many colours from? In retrospect I can see that this was really Malvolio's law applied to sexuality: some are born homosexual, some achieve homosexuality, and some have homosexuality thrust upon them. He stepped down from that position in March 2006, owing to potential conflicts of interest. Because of Eadie's cancer operation, they never felt the bliss of being parents. Possible - but in my opinion utterly wrong. Information Studio Channel 5 Genre Travel Released 2021 Languages Subtitles English (United Kingdom) All Apple Originals. JavaScript is disabled. Died: 10 March, 2014, in Hertfordshire, aged 95. Portillo also presented a similar television series called Great Continental Railway Journeys, following Portillo around continental Europe. It must be conceivable also for a gay person to buy the argument that the military simply works better without overt homosexuality in the ranks. Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in, Please refresh your browser to be logged in, Michael Portillo's sexual past is colourful - but it's his own affair, Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off and extra perks with Booking.com Genius membership, $5 off a $50+ order with this AliExpress discount code, Save 10% on selected orders - eBay discont code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK January 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this January, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. And, as usual, I had jumped at the idea, although a few doubts played on my mind. In September 2011, he presented a two-part series on BBC Radio 4 called Capitalism on Trial. "Michael Portillo can be seen on screens on his second railway journey across the United States. In 2007, he participated in the BBC television project The Verdict, serving, with other well known figures, as a jury member hearing a fictional rape case. Here, we examine some of his bold choices Dear God why can't public transport be more like 'Great British Railway Journeys'? [1], Portillo graduated in 1975 with a first-class degree in history,[14] and, after a brief stint with Ocean Transport and Trading Ltd., a shipping and transport company, he joined the Conservative Research Department in 1976. Press J to jump to the feed. Its an experience that changes you. If I see something outrageous, Ill buy it. The success of the show led Portillo to present series about railway systems in other countries. Since its premiere in 2012, Great Continental Railway Journeys has followed Michael and his journeys on some spectacular train routes around Europe. New Jackets and Gilets for Spring & Summer. The train enthusiast did not disappoint his fans with his rather bright and colourful dress sense. Insufferable in victory, fabulous in defeat, he warned his colleagues in 1997 of the need to eschew the urge to sew the Scarlet Letter onto too many bodices. Insufferable in victory, fabulous in defeat, he warned his colleagues in 1997 of the need to eschew the urge. As we recall from the Lords debate on the age of consent, many older Tories are obsessed by buggery. Why not email him directly and ask him: michael_AT_michaelportillo_DOT_co_DOT_uk. Symbolising the loss of the election by the Conservative Party, it has been referred to as "the Portillo moment", and in the clich "Were you up for Portillo?" 1980 - 1999 - Great Railway Journeys. Daves drone lessons with the children in my hamlet, executed in his inimitable Italian-Spanish creole (basically Italian with an s on the end) will go down in local history. 2012 - Great Continental Railway. Myself, I don't think that the "tolerance" of the Kensington and Chelsea Conservatives is the interesting issue here. 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars. Clear rating. More info. Our juvenile justice system must say to our children: We love you, but we are going to hold you accountable for your actions." in a double-breasted dark blue jacket and cap, would open the door for . . I'm intrigued by this guy's fashion sense. geddit?) It certainly made me more observant of nature., I think I was rebelling against my parents at that point but eventually reached a different position and a different view., The Paris-Nice Sleeper Train has Finally Been Restored, All you need to know about the new Stockholm to Berlin Night Train. Thu Sep 9 1999 - 01:00. If you google the two names you'll find plenty of info on her calling out the sexism of being asked about her clothes. Michael Portillo was born in 1953 and was educated at Harrow County School for Boys. [70], In 2009, he filmed a series titled Great British Railway Journeys, in which he explored, with the aid of George Bradshaw's 1863 tourist handbook, how the railways had a profound influence on the social, economic and political history of Britain. But as much as viewers are interested in the BBC travel programme, it looks like some cant take their eyes from Michaels distinctive clothes. The series commenced broadcasting in January 2010. First Name Michael. Presenter Michael Portillo has been famous for his colouful outfits, so where does he buy his clothes from? "Most often [people] have seen me on a television rail journey but in the UK, plenty of people still remember me from politics, so they are as likely to ask about Brexit as about my recommendations for rail holidays. I like to buy as I travel. Many urged Portillo, the "darling of the right", to run against Major. "[55], In September 2002, Portillo became a non-executive director of the multinational defence contractor BAE Systems. He has since revealed that, prior to the interview, he had already come to believe he had lost his seat:[39].mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, I saw that the exit poll was predicting a 160 seat majority for Labour. Every so often, I think it'd brighten Wigan and the whole of Lancashire if I turned out to town in a salmon pink blazer. 5 reasons to watch 'Great American Railroad Journeys'. Carolyn and I have bought a lovely house near Seville. My Profile My Preferences My Mates. Michael J Portillo, 76. Michael Portillo on the Pyrenees journey of self-discovery that tested him to limits. So forget teenage Tory homosexuals, we should all be on the hunt for teenage Tory drug sellers. Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo (/ p r t l o /; born 26 May 1953) is a British journalist, broadcaster and former politician. I saw this and I thought if there's one thing I do when I lose, I'm going to lose with as much dignity as I can muster and not be like this David MellorGoldsmith thing. But about his own possible misdemeanors he argues that, "what I did as a youth is irrelevant to this campaign. Hertfordshire is a beautiful and populous city located in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England United Kingdom. In 2002 these included one about Richard Wagner, and one in Spain: Great Railway Journeys: From Granada to Salamanca, for BBC Two (2002). In 2022 he began to present a political show Portillo for the British news channel GB News. I have to admit, when I saw him on tv today in a rather smart green jacket, my first thought was just like the title of this thread, "I want one, where can I get it". Perhaps this is because Gove went on to write that: "Michael Portillo's looks and bearing brought him to the attention of some of the more outre members of college. Also known as Scott M Portillo, Portillo Michael Scott, Michael Portil. Michael Portillo Railway Journeys - his jackets? Michael Portillo, Official Website, Principally established to provide access to speeches, TV footage and other contributions to public Debate. In 2014, as part of the BBC's World War I commemorations, Portillo presented Railways of the Great War with Michael Portillo over five nights in August 2014. Meat Loaf's retort to Prince Andrew: 'I don't give a s*** who you are! They're usually sexual puns, like she fancies him. Addressing the villagers in fluent Spanish, he would immediately distil the essence of the conversation and summarise it, almost simultaneously, in unfaltering English to the camera. Gemini Named Michael #32. Ex-politician turned TV presenter, and unexpected fashion icon, Michael Portillo has explained how he and his wife Carolyn Eadie, who will celebrate 40 years of marriage together next month,. Portillo obtained a first class degree in history from the University of Cambridge, having been a student at Peterhouse College. Hardcover. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. [56] He was a member of the board of the Kerr-McGee Corporation for a few months in 2006.[57]. As for his unique on-screen look, he reveals: "When. Over the course of his immensely popular Great Continental Railway Journeys series, host Michael Portillo has become renowned for his sense of fashion and wild colour schemes - which is actually a part of the show's appeal. MP Michael Portillo swapped his wealthy lifestyle to live for a week as a single mother of four in Merseyside for a TV experiment. Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo (/prtlo/; born 26 May 1953)[1] is a British journalist, broadcaster and former politician. When it comes to sartorial splendour, 'Great Railway Journeys' host Michael Portillo has an eye for colour. No further excuse was needed. Perceptive presentation, understanding of historical context and revealing interviews with major political figures. Michael would often sport a lilac jacket with a yellow shirt, combined with orange trousers. You should see the horse racing fraternity. Nowadays, he never goes anywhere without his signature wardrobe selection of five jackets, each one in a different bright colour. Speaking to journalists on Wednesday night he said that his activities were, "very mild, and a very long time ago." [88][89], In early 2022 Portillo filled a guest spot on the GB News show, The Political Correction, after which he was invited to host his own weekend political show Portillo, which started airing on 2nd October 2022. 'I like to buy as I travel. This is just one of the six things you probably didnt know about him. Normal stuff: angling reports, some new rods to look at and loads of spam . [4] Portillo's father, a devout Catholic, was a member of left-wing movements in the 1930s and fled Madrid when it fell to General Franco in 1939, settling in England. While Michael goes for bespoke suits from his trusted tailors, the presenter buys some of his shirts from well-known brands. A deeper golden or mustard jacket may have worked better but as the saying goes, 'There are no rules in an robot-automated Dutch dock'. [33] In 1996 his ministry undertook the sale of the entire stock of Ministry of Defence (MoD) housing for military personnel to Annington Homes. The Great Australian Railway Journeys star had no qualms about the weather when travelling across the desert - but the epic train voyage took him to plenty of other diverse landscapes as well. Michael Portillo and the Strathspey Steam Train (Photo: BBC/Naked/Fremantle) By. Would my personal experiences of integrating slowly - but surely - into the heart of Basque mountain life be of sufficient interest for a Michael Portillo documentary? The initial parents are a severely deficient "ZZ" Alpha, labeled as "A" for affected and the male partner, an "MZ" is labeled "C" indicating a carrier of one abnormal gene. [11] While at school Portillo had supported the cause of the Labour Party;[12] he attributed his embrace of conservatism at Cambridge to the influence of the right-wing Peterhouse historian Maurice Cowling. Returning to the Commons in the 1999 by-election in Kensington and Chelsea, Portillo rejoined the frontbench as Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer. Full Name: Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo Date of Birth: 26 May 1953 Age: 69 years old as of 2022 Place of Birth: Bushey, United Kingdom Spouse | Wife: Carolyn Claire Eadie Height: 1.8 m (5'9) Education: Stanburn Primary School, Harrow County School and Peterhouse College, Cambridge Net Worth: 8.2 million ($9 million) Michael Portillo Books Thats fine, he grinned, I am happy to take a back seat for a change!. [37] However, when a poll in The Observer on the weekend before the election showed that Portillo held only a three-point lead in his hitherto-safe seat,[39] Portillo asked Cooper, who oversaw the party's internal polling, to reassure him that it was wrong; Cooper was unable to and Portillo began to think that he might lose. [46] He comfortably won the by-election in late November 1999 to represent Kensington and Chelsea, traditionally one of the safest Conservative seats. Geminis. "But I was in general very captivated with Australian history and I hope that Australians of every background will feel that we have attempted to tell it straight.". It was a sketch. It's not all about the trains though that is obviously a huge part of it. Michael Portillo Family. [101], In 2018 he accepted the role as President of the Friends of the SettleCarlisle line[102] following the death of previous incumbent, Sir William McAlpine. In 1936, at the outset of the Spanish Civil War, Michaels father, Luis Gabriel Portillo Perz, was a Spanish intellectual working as a professor of Civil Law at the University of Salamanca. According to this thread (ha - threads! The options for the BBC presenter are endless, but one thing is clear he always wears his outfits with confidence. 10,915. Portillo's passion for steam trains led him to make the BBC documentary series Great British Railway Journeys, beginning in 2010, in which he travels the British railway networks, referring to various editions of Bradshaw's Guide. Sun 22 Jul 2001 17.13 EDT. Related To Darlene Portillo, Nicholas Portillo, Keith Portillo, Heather Portillo, Celeo Portillo. [96] He is President of DEBRA, a British charity working on behalf of people with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a genetic skin blistering condition. ), Our Basque grandparents (Amatxi and Atautxi). Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in, Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile. [34] [n 1], His high profile led to constant attention from the media, including Private Eye, which mockingly referred to him as "Portaloo". [97], In 2011, Portillo became chairman of a new arts endowment fund supported by the Arts Council, the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. [98] The fund, which operated under the title "Catalyst: Endowments", made 31 awards over the two years 201213 totalling 36 million. Start your Independent Premium subscription today. The ex-politician has worn garish red, purple and yellow get up for South Western trains, pink and beige to match Transport for Wales and turquoise to match Southern's brand. [57] He is also an Honorary Vice-President of Canning House, the Hispanic and Luso Brazilian Council. We figured out he was a host of a show about trains, but that's as far as we came. However, he admits the pair get to Scotland "much less often than to sunny Andalusia". This is a man unafraid to combine a lilac jacket and lime-green shirt whilst accessorising with his trusty Bradshaws Guide. Ituren Carnivals and a Brummy in their midst, Beautiful Basque Country Farmhouse B & B with a tortoise on the tap, The Invisible Guardian by Dolores Redondo, Beyond the Michelin restaurants San Sebastian has to offer, Baztan Valley Traditions and Code of Honour. Series 9 - Episode 1 Cromer to Cambridge. Some people call it the Portillo Moment he says and I am keen to hang on to that. "The selfie seems to have replaced the autograph," he mused of modern fandom. Since that moment Im not trusted with the book. Portillo had four children to look after. in which someone actually emailed him and got a reply. Great British Railways star Michael Portillo is 68 today. [76] This was followed by a series Great Asian Railway Journeys from 27 January 2020,[77] and Great Coastal Railway Journeys (BBC2, January-February 2022). At 67, Michael Portillo is a man very much at home in his own skin, a far cry from the somewhat uptight and buttoned-up Right-winger of old. [100], Portillo has a strong interest in contemporary visual arts and is Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Federation of British Artists, an educational arts charity. 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. Back in the BBC4 days I think Only Connect was bumped by one of Portillos shows. He has been married to Carolyn Claire Eadie since February 12, 1982. May 26 Journalist #1. Here he met his wife, Cora, a Spanish teacher, and soon after they were married. So this first defence is distantly related to the Clinton plea of "I smoked, but I didn't inhale.". [32], As Defence Secretary, Portillo became the object of criticism when he invoked the motto of the SAS, "Who Dares, Wins", at a speech at the 1995 Conservative Party annual conference. [36], Some saw the Defence Secretary post as a reward for Portillo's cautious loyalty to Major during the 1995 leadership challenge of John Redwood, following Major's "back me or sack me" resignation as party leader. https://bit.ly/3rOfxG8Armed with a 1936 edition of Bradshaw's Handbook, Michael Portillo takes to the tracks to navigate the golden age of rail travel, when . Haha, the puns must've been lost in the transatlantic translation for me ;). So, where does Michael get his clothes from? Famously known by the Family name Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo, is a great Politician. On another occasion Portillo exclaimed (as a pundit on This Week) that "short of marching Mrs. May into a railway carriage in the Compigne forest, they could not have produced a more humiliating surrender. I took this to mean that there was a lot of it about, but that Mike stood aloof. What's New 3 12 24 72. He was born on May 26, 1953, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England to his parents. By Sally McDonald. Michael has of course been to the tailors for some new jackets to upset your television set. Michael Portillo is still happily wedded to his wife, Carolyn Eadie. 2023 GRV Media Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Like @Billy_Value said above, if you'd watched the whole show you might have a clue what the reason was. Michael Portillo: The Future of the Right. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. [69], In 2008, Portillo made a documentary as part of the BBC Headroom campaign, which explored mental health issues. Ive no doubt at all that the thing I am most is English, he says. January 26, 2022 7:00 am (Updated 7:01 am) As a boy, Michael Portillo used to catch the sleeper train from London . "Europeans find it hard to comprehend how big and how empty Australia is, and the train provides the best way to ram home the point. 16 Jan 2011. Hardcover$19.50 37 Used from $3.50 18 New from $15.39. I'm sure that since the programme started, his outfits have become more garish - I noticed this week he was wearing pink trousers! Sarah says: The tone of the yellow jacket is discordant with the tone of the red pants. 2010 - Great British Railway. BORN: 8 January, 1919, in Fife. And the second knowing that Michael, a British politician and BBC journalist, had a similar passion to mine for bright-coloured clothing - was whether our colour codes would clash? Known for TV documentaries, including Great British Railway Journeys, Michael was a Tory MP for a number of years before swapping politics for presenting. The former Tory defence secretary, Mr Michael Portillo, widely tipped for an imminent return to Westminster, has confessed to having homosexual experiences as a young man . Their children would all inherit one "Z" from their mother but can inherit an "M or a "Z" from their father. "[43][44] A few weeks after he had given that interview, the death of Alan Clark gave Portillo the opportunity to return to Parliament, despite Lord Tebbit accusing Portillo of lying about the extent of his sexual "deviance",[45] and similar comments from an associate included in a profile of Portillo in The Guardian newspaper. The couple said their vows in a sweet ceremony in 1982. Daily at 6:30PM apart from weekends of course! As Defence Secretary, he pressed for a course of "clear blue water": purist policies separating the Conservatives from the Labour Party. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Family (1) Spouse Gemini Journalist #27. Michael Portillo has travelled extensively over the last 13 years filming his much-loved railway series, traversing five continents and making hundreds of programmes along the way. In November 2003, he turned down an offer of a Shadow Cabinet post from the incoming Conservative leader Michael Howard. Margaret Thatcher. He was also in charge of briefing Margaret Thatcher during the 1979 General Election. Michael is also a keen traveller to continents further afield, with his TV work previously having taken him to the opposite side of the world. He declined to enter the first round, but planned to challenge Major if the contest went to a second round. Hawks and Doves:. The image is irresistible: the once and future leader of the Conservative Party in a canary twinset, cavorting across Midsummer Common, accompanied by an elderly don called Mary. Its always been necessary in politics to have a few jokes up your sleeve and that helps me with the shows., Just before he filmed the first show for BBCs Great British Railway Journeys, Michael managed to drop The Victorian Bradshaws Guide in Paddington Station.