Who is Michael Portillo, presenter of Great Continental Railway Journeys?
MICHAEL Portillo is a former MP who is now more focused on his railway documentaries than Westminster power struggles.
The ex-Conservative lawmaker has certainly changed his career path over recent years.
Who is Michael Portillo?
Michael Portillo was born on May 26, 1953, in Bushey, Hertfordshire.
He was born to his Spanish father Luis Gabriel Portillo — exiled as an anti-Fascist republican — and Scottish mum Cora.
His first foray into showbiz was as a child star in a 1950s ad for Ribena.
Michael was famously a Tory MP and Defence Secretary.
When was Michael Portillo an MP?
Michael was elected to represent Enfield Southgate in 1984 but lost the previously safe seat in the Labour landslide of 1997, an event that coined the phrase "Portillo moment" to signify major political upset.
He returned in a by-election in 1999 to represent the rock-solid safe seat of Kensington and Chelsea and would go on to be Deputy Leader and Shadow Chancellor.
He stood down in the 2005 election and his Conservative Party membership has since lapsed.
What TV shows has Michael Portillo been on?
After his career in politics, Portillo set off in earnest to establish his media and presenting profile.
After a series of appearances and documentaries, in 2009 he filmed the first Great British Railroad Journeys for the BBC.
In it, he travels across the UK following George Bradshaw's 1863 tourist handbook to explore the impact the railways have had socially and economically on the country.
After a total of eight series including trips to Ireland, the first series of Great American Railroad Journeys, which follows the same theme, was filmed in 2016.
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He rides the railroads of America armed with Appleton's General Guide to the United States, published in 1879.
Portillo also presents Great Continental Railroad Journeys on the Beeb, which sees him experiencing what European train travel has to offer.
The railway lover also hosted Great Indian Railway Journeys, where he follows the Bradshaw's seminal 1913 Handbook of Indian, Foreign and Colonial Travel.