Isn't Michael Portillo adorable as a TV presenter?

[Beachtastic]

I grew up with the caricatures of him in Spitting Image and Private Eye, and could easily have written him off as a joke. So I'm glad he got to produce his fabulous train programmes - one of the few things my mum could watch with pleasure. Now that she's gone, I find myself watching his series again with great nostalgia and affection - not just thinking back to shared moments with her, but also pure appreciation of him!

The way he sails serenely across railway platforms, with that slow steam-ship upright gait... his lovely rosy, cheerful face... his bright jackets and trousers... the valiant way he pronounces alien names (quite convincingly, to my ear)... his genuine interest in people from all walks of life... his ability to make dull subjects fascinating... his absolute lack of ego: he really doesn't mind having a go at absolutely anything, not caring if he looks a chump (which means he never does)!

I bet you would. Especially if his eyes were all twinkly.

The vile persona was obviously an act!!! Margaret kept him in a crate and tormented him with whips and chains. She threatened to brutalise his family if he didn't stick by her. It will all come out one day.

swwwwoooooooooooooonnn

The detail about the banana trifle was most welcome!

I vaguely remember the show at the time, but never watched it. My loss!

That was a turning point for me with him, disliked him up to then, but he showed, or was able to look like he had, genuine empathy.

we watch it when we are having tea/dinner in front of the telly and want something totally non threatening.

Yes, my kids love his train and travel programs.

I am unconvinced - he’s a dull man in a bright costume. The variety of travel presenters is interesting though - it can quickly become very samey when it feels all about them.

I know, it’s the gentle programme about train journeys to other countries we didn’t know we needed.

I detest his politics and the fact that he was part of Thatcher's wanton destruction programme.
But he is good at being a travel show presenter and shows warmth, empathy and real engagement. Also I like that he always introduces himself rather than assuming people know who he is.

However the programme should be retitled to "The Watching Old Man Eating Show,"

Maybe you can find the show to watch somewhere? Or failing that, a recipe for banana trifle.

Lovely thread. I have really enjoyed The Japan and South Korea train programmes as well. The programmes are informative without being boastful like some other travel programmes.

He is extremely respectful and courteous to everyone he meets and is genuinely interested in their stories. This is how everyone should act when they visit another country.

And he really doesn't mind making a fool of himself. The time when he is learning to dance K-pop is hilarious - the teacher is slightly giggling - I couldn't stop laughing 😂To not take yourself too seriously is a great quality to have.

I like him too. Loved his recent series on Japan and it's made us all the more determined to return. My Dad who was a train buff always complained there was too much sightseeing and not enough trains, but I think the balance is about right and his enthusiasm shines through.

In searching for the banana trifle show, I found this, from January 2008 🤩

"Former Conservative MP Michael Portillo pushes his body to the brink of death in an investigation into the science of execution."

Perhaps some of the naysayers on this thread watched this with delight!!!

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008rdyh

Oh no! That’s not the right sort of show for our Michael, too dangerous!

Train journeys is the right show for him 😊

His political career must have been such a disappointment to them

As a complete Hispanophile, I love the ones he's done in Spain. I remember one where he was taking part in one of those crazy fiestas where they all make a giant human tower.

He didn't speak unless he had something really useful to contribute. I liked him on that.

I love it when he goes up to people and introduces himself as Michael. My partner and I have a competition when settling down to watch his programmes - what colour combination will he be wearing?

Yes, love his travel programs as my mother did.

For our delectation 🌞

Complete with vivid orange jacket and tie 🤩

I love that the second comment is "Entrañable" (endearing)!

What on earth did he do that was so heinous when he was an MP? Or is it just people wanting to appear controversial and bash a Tory because they’re bored this morning?

Anyway yes, I’ve always liked him and have been in his orbit at a party - he’s as charismatic and twinkly as I hoped he would be, so great as a TV presenter.

In the Spanish interview, he talks about his time in politics:

I was a minister with Margaret Thatcher, and I ended up as Prime Minister with John Major. And yes, I feel very proud of those years. I don't miss it, and I've been very lucky to have a second career. With television, I have a great time being a presenter. And what's the difference between the two? In political life there was a lot of stress, and what I do now - I don't feel any stress. I have a great time, I really enjoy it.

About Margaret Thatcher: Well, like many people, she had two sides. She was very tough in the sense that she could endure a lot, she had a lot of courage. But she could also be very kind, and above all she felt a lot of sympathy for those who didn't have what she had. With professionals, with others, with politicians, she behaved like an Iron Lady. But with ordinary people - how shall I put it - she had a great deal of sympathy. I remember once, at a cocktail party, a waitress dropped the tray of glasses, and of course she was terribly embarrassed. But Lady Thatcher, being Prime Minister, immediately knelt down to pick up the little pieces of glass, because for her it was normal to help people.

Are we to be impressed that Thatcher could act like a normal human being?!

Her policies destroyed communities and wrecked our public services - we are still struggling with the aftermath of this and will do for generations to come. I have no forgiveness for this at all.

And Portillo's espousal of her policies was total. He cannot duck that.

But .... he is a very good travel presenter.

Perhaps her little acts of kindness helped him to see her in a good light and think that poll tax (etc) was a good idea! (That, and her caging and torturing him, obvs...)

I could tell you but wouldn't want to upset @Beachtastic

He was a top Tory at a time when they were more to the right than they are now - his mentor was Thatcher.

You can imagine how that went down at the time with those who identified as staunchly left wing (including myself at the time).

I think he’s bloody good on those programmes.

Very different to his days in politics, but I’d imagine many of them are.