Five snaps up Alastair Campbell in 'exclusive' deal

by Jules Grant,, Brand Republic 15-Mar-04, 13:40

LONDON - Alastair Campbell is returning to his journalistic roots as the former Number 10 spin chief signs a deal with broadcaster Five to front a primetime talkshow series, featuring interviews with and profiles of major figures in the worlds of politics, business and sport.

Campbell has signed to make a number of programmes with the channel, which also includes an "exclusive" documentary about him.

The interview series, to be screened later this year, goes ahead after what Campbell says are approaches from a number of broadcasters.

"I have had approaches from a number of broadcasters and production companies and I like Five's unstuffy, unpretentious approach. We are discussing a number of interview and documentary ideas that would allow me to make best use of the experience I have in journalism and politics," Campbell said.

The 60-minute documentary on Campbell, which has already started filming, focuses on how Campbell has adapted his life after nine years with Tony Blair and in particular his training for the London Triathlon on August 1.

Campbell is competing in the London Triathlon to raise funds for Leukaemia Research and Five is making a substantial donation to the charity.

Both programmes are to be produced by Liberty Bell, the independent production company headed by former ITV chief Stuart Prebble.

Chris Shaw, Five's senior programme controller of news and current affairs, said: "It will be facinating to witness Alastair's adjustment after nearly a decade at the heart of British politics. He is a charismatic individual with a lot to say."

Campbell, who also now writes a sports column in The Times, stood down as Number 10 communications chief last year before the Hutton Inquiry. John Humphrys, the BBC Radio 4 'Today' programme presenter, slammed Campbell last month for trying to "destabilise the BBC" in his post-Hutton speech.

The presenter who hosted the now infamous "two way" interview with defence reporter Andrew Gilligan, which sparked the Hutton Inquiry, said that watching Tony Blair's former press chief make his post-Hutton speech felt "like lying in the gutter while your head's kicked in".

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