Has there been a more successful reinvention than Portillo?

[DodgyGeezer]

I remember in the 80s and 90s Michael Portillo seemed to be generally/frequently viewed with 'distaste' at best yet these days he's an engaging character on his train journey programmes. Which other figures in the public eye have successfully reinvented themselves?

[InformationSuperHighway]

Exactly what Matt Hancock is trying to do.

I fully expect him to be successful by the way, you'll all be watching twee documentaries on BBC 3 with him in the next few years

[abzmike]

We won’t be watching him because he has no credibility. Whether you agreed with MPs politics or not, he is well informed and very articulate, perhaps not with mass appeal (which Hancock bizarrely seems to think he has) but rather an interested niche.

[dai1983]

Piers Morgan

Disgraced Editor of a newspaper who ran faked pics showing abuse by British military to TV talent show judge.

[StevieBee]

Most MPs make the most sense and become their most likeable when they are no longer an MP.

[Roofless Toothless]

Matthew Parris?

[Wacky Racer]

Anyone who helped to save the Settle & Carlisle line will do for me.

His railway programmes are fascinating, as is his dress sense,

Comes across as a decent fellow, if a little smarmy.

[Mr Penguin]

abzmike said:

We won’t be watching him because he has no credibility. Whether you agreed with MPs politics or not, he is well informed and very articulate, perhaps not with mass appeal (which Hancock bizarrely seems to think he has) but rather an interested niche.

I remember watching an interview with Portillo and he said he comes across better when he talks about trains than he did as an MP because he isn't being put on the spot and he gets ten attempts at doing it well, so maybe Hancock would be good at it if he finds a decent series to present, although he doesn't have the voice that Portillo has.

[Douglas Quaid]

Hancock is a slimy toad. Portillo is at least a pretty personable guy. I am actually pretty amazed no one has punched Hancock when he’s been out in public.

Anyway Jason statham is my nomination. Went from a sportsman to actor. He’s not top tier in either but entertaining at least.

[Johnspex]

Lucozade. It went from being something you drank when you were unwell something you drink when you're healthy.

[popegregory]

Roofless Toothless said:

Matthew Parris?

Was he regarded with “distaste”?

[Bradgate]

Tony Blair appears to have been rehabilitated from ‘war criminal’ to ‘elder statesman. He’s got the knighthood, and now he is being invited onto Today with his old sparring partner Hague to pitch their plan for digital ID cards.

[wiggy001]

Bradgate said:

Tony Blair appears to have been rehabilitated from ‘war criminal’ to ‘elder statesman.

Not sure he has. Not in my eyes anyway.

[anonymoususer]

John Profumo from scandal to hard working charity chap
Kellogs Special K yuou have to be a certain age went from a rice krispie type ceral to something different
The Mk2 Astra from the Mk1 a box with minor curves to a work of pure beauty
Rob Lowe scandal to a nice bloke
Milley Cyrus from Hannah Montana Disney teen goody goody to twerking in your face loud celebrity to maturer artist. All the while retaining her ability to sing brilliantly. Her support to Arianna Grande at the Manchester concert after the bomb is both genuine and moving to see.

Portillo really is good. He was excellent on the Andrew Neil BBC Thursday night programme.

[spookly]

Bradgate said:

Tony Blair appears to have been rehabilitated from ‘war criminal’ to ‘elder statesman. He’s got the knighthood, and now he is being invited onto Today with his old sparring partner Hague to pitch their plan for digital ID cards.

Absolutely not. I still wouldn't care if he popped his clogs, and rather wish he would ps off and stop spouting off.
His only value these days is as a barometer. If he supports it, it is probably a bad idea and not something that will be good for us.

[austinsmirk]

Classic fords.

How utter junk like mark 1, mark 2 escorts, plus capris, command the prices they do: I don’t know

Ok I get an RS or a Mexico. But all the generic crap that no one even wanted in the 80’s for £100 with a mot on it ?

[Punctilio]

Maybe Johnny [Rotten] Lydon

A rabid punk artist and nihilist to mainstream grumpy but lovable git.

[JackJarvis]

Gino D'Acampo. From convicted time served burglar to housewives’ favourite lovable TV chef.

[kevinon]

Way back when Portillo was a serving MP I got feedback that he was very bright and personable. It jarred with my view which is why it struck me.

Apparently at a multi-table dinner, Portillo made a point of speaking to everyone, making good conversation and putting everyone at ease.

He certainly impressed my contact, who had plenty of exposure to Tory high command.

[Nickp82]

Sebastian Vettel - annoying finger-waggling championship dominator to thoroughly nice, kind and thoughtful midfield eco warrior.