Why are so many politicians turning to the world of TV when power fails?

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Enoch Powell, a politician known for controversial views, once said all political careers end in disappointment. He would likely have been very surprised to see Michael Portillo successfully reinvent himself after leaving politics.

Almost three decades after losing his seat in Parliament, the former Conservative MP is seen smiling confidently on the border between North and South Korea. It’s a surprising image, especially considering his bright red pants in such a heavily guarded and tense area.

In his new BBC series, Great Korean Railway Journeys, Michael Portillo explores Korea, meeting monks and even trying his hand at taekwondo. Many viewers likely know him only as the enthusiastic train buff from TV, and might be surprised to learn about his past in politics. His biggest fashion dilemma these days seems to be choosing between his strawberry-colored pants and cornflower blue blazer – or, why not wear both?

Michael Portillo has largely moved past his time in Parliament, a period marked by both high expectations as a favorite of Margaret Thatcher and the disappointment of losing his seat in 1997. He once described his unexpected departure from politics as a positive turning point, saying it encouraged him to broaden his interests. This fresh start was particularly aided by a 1998 television series, Portillo’s Progress, which led to a remarkably successful second career.

Michael Portillo isn’t alone in moving from politics to television. Well before ex-politicians started hosting podcasts, or current MPs appeared on reality shows, there was Harold Wilson. In 1979, he hosted an episode of the BBC chat show Friday Night, Saturday Morning. It was a strange – some would say overly self-focused – experience for viewers, as the former Prime Minister interviewed guests including the show’s host, Robin Day, an impersonator of his, Mike Yarwood, and even his own wife, Mary.

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Robert Kilroy-Silk, a former Member of Parliament, hosted his popular talk show for almost two decades, becoming well-known for the format. However, his ITV quiz show, Shafted, wasn’t as successful. It was cancelled after just four episodes and was even named the worst British TV show of the 2000s in the Penguin TV Companion.

It’s not certain the new show will succeed. Previous attempts at similar formats haven’t fared well – Edwina Currie’s talk show ended after just one year, and a pilot for Neil and Christine Hamilton’s cooking show, where they’d arrive at people’s homes in a Bentley to cook a lavish meal, was never picked up for a full series.

Even for celebrities who successfully transition to new careers, things aren’t always smooth sailing. For example, seeing former politician Ed Balls dance on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ was a memorable TV moment. However, an interview he did with his wife, Yvette Cooper – who was a government minister at the time – on a morning show caused problems, leading to 8,000 complaints to the broadcasting regulator, Ofcom.

If politics feels like a superficial performance, does showbusiness attract people who lack genuine passion? It’s hard to picture dedicated politicians like Dennis Skinner or Tony Benn abandoning their principles for a career in television, though it would have been entertaining to see the delightfully eccentric Baroness Trumpington host a quiz show like The Weakest Link.

We live in a visually-driven world, and given how effectively recent leaders have used television and media, you might expect someone who enjoys being on camera to be drawn back into politics. But that doesn’t seem to be the case. As Portillo explained, he simply isn’t interested in returning, stating that he has changed, while politics remains the same. Plus, he seems to prefer his stylish personal wardrobe to the formal attire of Parliament.

Authors

Caroline Frost

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2026-04-29 10:41