He was gracious enough to take such a trite call and give considered answers, partly thanks to mutual acquaintances. I remember being conscious he'd admitted to bulimia and sensitivity about his weight.

RIP John Prescott. Blair could not have done it with him. Under-appreciated by many on the left and patronised by the right. Hence the essential chippiness which he couldn't shrug off. Speaking of which, I had to ring him once for a comment about fish and chips for the Sunday Mirror...