Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Chronicle Live
Chronicle Live
National
Mike Kelly

Michael Portillo uses Metro while filming popular BBC show Great British Railway Journeys

Former Tory Minister turned TV train buff Michael Portillo made an eye-catching sight as he boarded the Tyne and Wear Metro.

Noted for his colourful dress sense, his lilac jacket and orange trousers in part clashed with the colour scheme of the ticket machines.

He was using the Tyne and Wear Metro service as it features in his latest TV series, Great Coastal Railway Journeys.

Go here for more what's on updates, news and reviews from around the North East

Portillo, a favourite of Margaret Thatcher, famously lost his seat in the 1997 general election when Tony Blair's Labour party swept to power.

He has since become renowned for his railway travel programmes on the BBC, took a journey on Metro during the episode that was broadcast this week.

He travelled from Central Station in Newcastle up to Tynemouth on the North Tyneside coast.

During his journey Portillo marvelled at Metro’s 60 stations and 40 years of operations, and he spoke fondly of the frontal view of the track afforded to him from the front passenger seats on the Metro train.

Just the ticket - Michael Portillo takes a trip on the Metro (Nexus)

At Tynemouth station, Portillo explained to viewers how the station was originally built in 1882 for the North Eastern Railway and was switched to serve Metro trains in the 1980s. He described the station’s Victorian architecture as ‘breathtaking’.

He said: “Tynemouth has one of the finest glass roofs in Britain and recently it has been superbly restored – and it is a gem.”

Metro Operations Director, John Alexander, said: “We were delighted to welcome Michael Portillo on Metro for his latest television series.

“He really showcased how important the Metro is to the communities that we serve, and he reflected brilliantly on our proud railway heritage in North East England.”

A further trip on the Metro from South Shields to Newcastle Central is set to appear later in the series, along with a Tyne crossing on the Shields Ferry.

All of the filming took place in August 2021.

For the latest What's On news, announcements and reviews direct to your inbox, go here to sign up to our free newsletter

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.