Michael Portillo Railway Journeys - his jackets?

[Laurel Green]

Podie said:

He looked like a bloody carrot!

[Huntsman]

He'd be proud of me today, sporting a fab pair of red cords.

[daved]

Did you catch what the engineering guy said to him as he handed him a hi-vis vest? 'Sorry to tone down your look Michael', or something similar.

[Laurel Green]

daved said:

Did you catch what the engineering guy said to him as he handed him a hi-vis vest? 'Sorry to tone down your look Michael', or something similar.

I didn't quite catch it either, though would say he was a dam sight more visible without the Hi-Vis vest on.

[hidetheelephants]

This episode starts off a bit Finbar Saunders, then he goes and watches some semi-naked men cover themselves in olive oil and stick their hands down each other's trousers. Ding dong!

[Digger]

. . . and in the latest episode of "What's Michael wearing this week. . . .?"

[Laurel Green]

Looks like sponsorship by Virgin Airways.

[Dogwatch]

Gone through red, blue and now on to green.....

...with a red hankie in the breast pocket

[Iva Barchetta]

I don't care for his sartorial elegance but he's journeying the best bits of Italy now.......
Maserati content to follow.

[Iva Barchetta]

Oh and bright yellow jacket just now.

[ch108]

I thought it was funny when he was in Vienna in his red jacket and cream trousers. A tram passed in the background and its livery was in the same colours he was wearing!

I do enjoy the programme but I wish he would put that bloody book down for a minute instead of having to be seen carrying it in every shot. Maybe the person who carrys his jackets around could have it for a bit.

And I thought the orange trousers were bad until I seen him in the bright pink ones.

[Iva Barchetta]

I was going to mention the pink ones.

They could hang this show out way more by spending a whole lot longer in the locations.
Especially Lucca,my favourite Italian city.

[Dibble]

Escort3500 said:

Never cared much for his politics, but he's a really engaging chap in these programmes and really gets the best out of the people he meets. And his jackets have become his trademark now. Top bloke.

Very much my feelings too. I've enjoyed all of his rail programmes, although I must admit to preferring the European ones. A few of the destinations have given me food for thought for some trips (although probably flying/by motorbike). And as others have said, programming like this is the very essence of the BBC.

While I'm at it, are the Hairy Bikers releasing a DVD of their recent series? Think it was called 'Northern Exposure', and followed them round the Baltic.

[Zad]

There is much irony in a Thatcherite Conservative MP doing so much to educate, inform and entertain us on European countries and peoples. Top bloke, he was wasted on politics. Is anyone counting the number of different coloured jackets he seems to have?

[TwigtheWonderkid]

Tony2or4 said:

Agreed. I particularly like the fact that he's an excellent listener: gives people the chance to say their piece, while he looks interested, and doesn't interrupt.

This is his real skill. He made a documentary about 5 years ago or so, Death of a School Friend, about the suicide of a lad he was friends with, Gary Findon, back in the late 60s. Absolutely brilliant, very moving. Unfortunately I can't find it on You Tube, as I wouldn't mind watching it again.

[Grandad Gaz]

Zad said:

..... Is anyone counting the number of different coloured jackets he seems to have?

No, but I'd guess about 15

[Digger]

Cuckoo clocks are awesome. My parents had one. Wish I knew where it was!

[snuffy]

He had a cracking jacket, shirt and kex on tonight.

[CooperD]

Once again, another brilliant series from Mr Portillo. Last night's episode was one of the best and even the jackets were toned down a bit.

[Cupramax]

Yep, really enjoyed these, especiallly the Mallorca bit at the end, i still cant get my head around it though as i loathed him as a cross between Tory boy and Tim nice but dim during his politician days. He just comes accros as an amiable and interesting bloke, funny what the press can do to your impression of people...