When it comes to sartorial splendour, 'Great Railway Journeys' host Michael Portillo has an eye for colour. He is a writer and editor, known for Great American Railroad Journeys (2016), Railways of the Great War (2014) and Great British Railway Journeys (2010). , 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. Michael was born and raised in Hertfordshire. Love Michael Portillo, his programmes and his oh so colourful clothes. [98] The fund, which operated under the title "Catalyst: Endowments", made 31 awards over the two years 201213 totalling 36 million. "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. 2010 - Great British Railway. Stirlingshire. Politician turned TV railway explorer Michael Portillo tries his hand at sea fishing on Walton Pier in Essex, guided by John Popplewell. Michael Portillo Popularity . Towards the end of the day, Michael voiced a special thank you to the Basque people themselves for, had it not been for the Basque refugee camp where his parents had met, he would never have been born. [72] A second series was broadcast in 2013, and to date there has been a total of six series. He is a long-serving member of the panel in the BBC Radio 4 series The Moral Maze. But as much as viewers are interested in the BBC travel programme, it looks like some cant take their eyes from Michaels distinctive clothes. [67], The documentary How To Kill a Human Being in the Horizon series featured Portillo carrying out a survey of capital punishment methods (including undertaking some near death experiences himself), in an attempt to find an 'acceptable' form of capital punishment. Tickets 17.50 (concessions 15.50,) and St George's Guildhall, King's Lynn, on Tuesday, March 21. In a previous story, Evening Standard reported that Michael donated a 79 Charles Tyrwhitt shirt and a 45 French-cuffed Christian Dior shirt to a charity shop. MICHAEL Portillo's political comeback in the wake of his admission to a gay past suffered a major jolt last night when his former homosexual lover - allegedly of eight years - came forward and. Michael Portillo was spotted filming on Cleethorpes beach on Monday (Image: Daily Mirror). Family (1) Spouse "All that time I was repressed and all these colours were welling up inside me! ", Sarah says: Id like to have a boozy lunch with this man. That's next level.. He wore a blue striped jacket on the Turin to Venice episode which was fantastic! The ex-Tory minister, 67, films journeys for TV, and has around 20 bold outfits which. "Carolyn and I have bought a lovely house near Seville," he explained. Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo is a British journalist, politician, broadcaster, and screenwriter, who joined the Conservative Research Department in 1976 and stayed there for three years. In 1936, at the outset of the Spanish Civil War, Michael's father, Luis Gabriel Portillo Perz, was a Spanish intellectual working as a professor of Civil Law at the University of Salamanca. 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. Want to Read. Yet there was a calmness and simplicity about him that I had not expected. Geminis. Evening Standard. Create an account to follow your favorite communities and start taking part in conversations. Portillo had four children to look after. [51], Portillo supported Brexit,[52] though he also expressed the opinion that in the British system, where Parliament is sovereign, the 2016 Brexit referendum "absolutely does not fit with our system" and that "parliament has the right to interpret" the result. 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. I'm sure that since the programme started, his outfits have become more garish - I noticed this week he was wearing pink trousers! Laura Whitmore defends decision to appear on British Army podcast I survived Ben Nevisgate, to wear the jacket again - not only in Griff's Great Australian Adventure, now trending on Netflix, but also in Griff's Great New . You should see the horse racing fraternity. Star Michael Portillo See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist Episodes 4 Browse episodes 1 Season 2022 Photos Add photo Top cast [71] A second series was broadcast on BBC Two in 2011, and as of May 2021, there have been a total of thirteen series. His broadcast series include railway documentaries such as Great British Railway Journeys and Great Continental Railway Journeys.A former member of the Conservative Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Enfield Southgate from 1984 to 1997 and Kensington . As I prepared for a day's filming with Michael Portillo in Zubieta this March, I recalled the advice of an actress who had once participated in one of my Basque Cultural Walking Weeks. [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. [18], Portillo returned to advisory work for the government, and, in December 1984, he stood for and won the Enfield Southgate by-election, following the murder of the incumbent, Sir Anthony Berry, in the bombing of the Grand Hotel, Brighton by the IRA. Michaels mother was Scottish and his father was Spanish. What's New 3 12 24 72. Or even a pink shirt combined with a blue jacket. INTERVIEW Caitlin Jones You're quite dapper and renowned for wearing brightly coloured trousers and blazers - do you have a favourite piece and where do you get your ensembles from? I'm intrigued by this guy's fashion sense. Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; Rumour is that Adrian Holdsworth of Volpe in Pimlico is the guilty party. Michael Denzil Xavier Portillo (/ p r t l o /; born 26 May 1953) is a British journalist, broadcaster and former politician. While Michael goes for bespoke suits from his trusted tailors, the presenter buys some of his shirts from well-known brands. In Episode 15, available on iPlayer for the next 29 . And then, microphone snuggly clipped into the hem of my emerald green jersey, camera crew in tow, we strolled out of the square and into the narrow alleyways of Zubieta, this quintessentially Basque village in the Spanish Pyrenees. Many urged Portillo, the "darling of the right", to run against Major. Mr Portillo is aware of the pitfalls of taking the line of the American moral right. Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies. "I like to tell people that I am colour blind and dress in the dark, but the real reason is that I enjoy doing the unexpected and (I hope) making people laugh.". Known for TV documentaries, including Great British Railway Journeys, Michael was a Tory MP for a number of years before swapping politics for presenting. Michael Portillo on the Pyrenees journey of self-discovery that tested him to limits. See today's front and back pages, download the newspaper, order back issues and use the historic Daily Express newspaper archive. It was broadcast on BBC Two on 15 January 2008. He was born on May 26, 1953, in Bushey, Hertfordshire, England to his parents. 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. Back in the BBC4 days I think Only Connect was bumped by one of Portillos shows. Michael Portillo Railway Journeys - his jackets? "Michael Portillo can be seen on screens on his second railway journey across the United States. Michael Portillo has bought a brand new red "pixelated" jacket for a new series of "British Railway Journies", available on BBC iPlayer. Or is he really saying that the son of a politician millionaire can be trusted to redeem himself from a (rather late) youth spent in substance abuse, but that the general run of American teenagers cannot? "[37], Portillo's loss of the Enfield Southgate seat, in the 1997 general election to Labour's Stephen Twigg, came as a shock to many politicians and commentators, and came to symbolise the extent of the Labour landslide victory. Most Popular #105373. I cannot believe that even the party of Ann Widdecombe is so suicidal that it would turn away one of its most charismatic, talented and attractive members because of his sexual inclinations. 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. [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. GRV Media Ltd, 18 Mulberry Avenue, Widnes. In a previous story, Evening Standard reported that Michael donated a 79 Charles Tyrwhitt shirt and a 45 French-cuffed Christian Dior shirt to a charity shop. He has been married to Carolyn Claire Eadie since February 12, 1982. Because of Eadie's cancer operation, they never felt the bliss of being parents. To celebrate his birthday, we discover 6 things you probably didnt know about him. "Younger people greet me, tactfully they think, saying: 'My mother loves you,' or just as frequently, 'My grandfather loves your program.' A former member of the Conservative Party, he was Member of Parliament (MP) for Enfield Southgate from 1984 to 1997 and Kensington and Chelsea from 1999 to 2005. Michael Portillo was born in 1953 and was educated at Harrow County School for Boys. In his 1995 biography entitled Michael Portillo: The Future of the Right, Michael Gove referred to the Cambridge days of his subject in a puzzling manner. Michael Portillo, 69, on the humiliation of losing his seat as an MP, missing out to IDS in the Tory leadership battle and his latest TV series. Is he to be condemned because he - as a Defence Secretary with a gay past - allowed the expulsion of gay people from the Armed Forces? 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?" [30] He subsequently became Secretary of State for Employment (199495),[31] and then Secretary of State for Defence (19951997). [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. My own take on the MP jokes are that VCM keeps using him as a running gag and not much else. While Michael goes for bespoke suits from his trusted tailors, the presenter buys some of his shirts from well-known brands. Fan of the program , the jackets and mr p. He certainly has a flamboyant sense of dress. Its a very moving experience, says Michael. This is just one of the six things you probably didnt know about him. So, where does Michael get his clothes from? If you cannot see the animation to the left, you may obtain the plug-in for free at macromedia.com . At the end of the Civil War, Luis Gabriel Portillo escaped over the eastern Pyrenees and found exile in the UK where he ended up working as an instructor at a camp for evacuated Basque children near Oxford. British Cabinet minister Michael Portillo's spectacular defeat in the 1997 election gave rise to the term 'Portillo moment', meaning a seismic shift in politics. He was knocked out in the final round of voting by Conservative MPs, his sexual history according to Kenneth Clarke having damaged his chances,[48] leaving party members to choose between Iain Duncan Smith and Kenneth Clarke. 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. In a sober blue sports shirt, Michael Portillo approached me on the terrace of Zubieta village bar as I shared a coffee with friends at the immense stone-slab table, dolmen-like in proportions. What I had overlooked was that Michael, having been raised in a multi-lingual, multi-cultural family in the UK, held the same themes of language, culture and identity close to his heart too. Check out reactions from Twitter users down below. [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. They were reduced to 7.99 and 6.99 respectively. Following the 2001 general election, Portillo contested the leadership of the party. So forget teenage Tory homosexuals, we should all be on the hunt for teenage Tory drug sellers. In March 2003, he voted in favour of the 2003 invasion of Iraq. As we walked around Zubieta, chatting with the locals, and enquiring about their farming traditions and festivals, Michael's superb language skills came to the fore. He read history at Peterhouse, Cambridge, where he gained a first. Michael told the publication: I simply go into [the tailors] and say, Look, I need a new outrageous colour. My Profile My Preferences My Mates. The subreddit for the BBC's fiendishly difficult quizshow, dedicated to finding the connections between 4 seemingly unrelated clues. [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. Not having sufficient time to canvass the views of my lesbian friends on this subject, I did manage to get through to a gay pal on his mobile on an InterCity train. In September 2011, he presented a two-part series on BBC Radio 4 called Capitalism on Trial. [75] A series Great Australian Railway Journeys began airing on BBC2 on 26 October 2019, with six journeys across Australia. 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. The Witches of Zugarramurdi the scene was set! Great Continental Railway Journeys, series 5 airs on Tuesdays at 7:30pm on SBS. 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. Related To Darlene Portillo, Nicholas Portillo, Keith Portillo, Heather Portillo, Celeo Portillo. But I also saw David Mellor. Neither he nor Mr P. were really saying that what is OK for me is wrong for you. Since 1998, Portillo has been a Commissioner of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). Haha, the puns must've been lost in the transatlantic translation for me ;). [25], In 1990, Portillo was appointed Minister of State for Local Government, in which post he argued in favour of the ultimately highly unpopular Community Charge system (popularly known as "the Poll Tax"). 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). They have now burst forth in a virulent form. I am sorry, I can be pretty garrulous, I excused my rather ebullient nature from the outset. My second thought, about 0.5 seconds later, was "He's going to have bought it somewhere expensive. We figured out he was a host of a show about trains, but that's as far as we came. Peter Tatchell, as ever, is absolutely clear on the answer. Many of his clothes are made by a tailor in London Michael Portillo is famously known for his bright trousers and jackets which make a great impact on the small screen. Surely it's quite possible to believe that you, as a 20-year-old student, should be able to have sex with whomever you choose, and yet be chary about giving a similar freedom to 16 year olds and their would-be lovers. Here's an example where breaking the rules works. geddit?) Your views: Portillo as a single mum. They climbed through the undergrowth on the mountain leading up to the secret . Watch it right here: SBS acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country and their connections and continuous care for the skies, lands and waterways throughout Australia. 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 . Possible - but yet again, in my opinion, wrong. So VCM made fun of it, then it became a running gag. From 1979 to 1981, he was a special adviser to the Secretary of State for Energy, and he then worked for Kerr McGee Oil (UK) for two years . 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. [69], In 2008, Portillo made a documentary as part of the BBC Headroom campaign, which explored mental health issues. Does Bush believe, then, that if he committed felonies when in his late 20s, he should now be punished for them? According to this thread (ha - threads! British linguists are, sadly, few and far between. Bookmark. [6] Portillo's maternal grandfather, John Blyth, was a prosperous linoleum manufacturer from Kirkcaldy. As we recall from the Lords debate on the age of consent, many older Tories are obsessed by buggery. Armed with Bradshaw's variety of railway guides, Portillo explores beautiful countries through the eyes of the eponymous man, who wrote his guides well over 100 years ago. [93], In June 2013, he presented a series of twelve 15-minute radio programmes (following the daily World at One news programme) on BBC Radio 4 called 1913 the Year Before, about the state of Britain in the years preceding World War I, challenging the view that these years were optimistic and cheerful.[94]. By Sally McDonald. Hawks and Doves:. Paxman opened the interview with the question "so Michael, are you going to miss the limo? Sadly, too many youths are not getting that message. Bush, anxious always to be tough on crime, makes no allowance for "misspent youth" in others. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Ive no doubt at all that the thing I am most is English, he says. He wasn't a hypocrite, just a really messed-up kid. Gemini Journalist #27. Michael Portillo Railway Journeys - his jackets? in which someone actually emailed him and got a reply. Its safe to say that after every episode of Great Continenetal Railway Journeys, the most burning question for many viewers is where Michael buys his outfits from. Portillo obtained a first class degree in history from the University of Cambridge, having been a student at Peterhouse College. I think its simply because in the early days of Only Connect, his train programmes used to be on afterwards and he seemed to be on TV a lot so Victoria would make smutty jokes about what random show hed been on. Also, I'd wear the hell out of that preppy blazer., Sarah says: The outfit is totally workable. [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. They were reduced to 7.99 and 6.99 respectively. [16] He left to work for Kerr-McGee Oil between 1981 and 1983. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. Following the election, Portillo renewed his attachment to Kerr-McGee, but also undertook substantial media work, including programmes for the BBC and Channel 4. IN WHAT exotic colours present knowledge allows us to repaint the past! "The selfie seems to have replaced the autograph," he mused of modern fandom. Passionately opposed to a United Europe, totally devoted to the integrity of the United Kingdom, fierce advocate of an ultra-low-tax economy, he may be the . [90], Portillo has written a regular column for The Sunday Times, contributes to other journals (he was a theatre critic for the New Statesman until May 2006[91]), and is a regular radio broadcaster on UK radio. How he kept the camera still I have no idea because the only image I retain of him in my mind is an absolute blur of movement! . Michael Portillo Early Life Story, Family Background and Education JavaScript is disabled. Last Name Portillo #4. And as for how it all began, the presenter told that he first started wearing colourful shirts on the political show This Week. Reply Prev [40], He had a memorable interview with Jeremy Paxman on election night, prior to the result being called in his own seat. However, he admits the pair get to Scotland "much less often than to sunny Andalusia". Not only is he complementing the colours of the train but his choice of reading materials too.