Most of the reviews this morning give Prezzer eleven out of ten, but I can’t imagine why: Prescott was one of the worst troughers of the 353 MP cheats, and as for the denials on air about Tudor beams for his house….I’ve seen the bloody invoices, and trust me, that’s what they say. But that’s the beauty of television – tell a whopper and move on. I think Prescott said one funny ad libbed line in the whole show (about Hislop believing everything he reads in the Eye) and I very much doubt if he wrote the scripted gags.

My doubts in the matter stem from the fact that he read every line as if it was the first time he’d seen it…and didn’t seem to be able to cope with the pronunciation of ‘vasectomy’. This is odd, as he must have heard the word a thousand times over the years….beyond which allusion I cannot possibly comment.

What I can tell you is that he was awful in rehearsals. Anyway, there you have it: John Prescott – corrupt fat git, complete bar-steward, incompetent presenter, all-round TV personality and wannabe Labour treasurer. “Keep an eye on the Jaguar count” is all I can say.

Update: I’ve just seen the Beeb’s site, and they have the Treasurer story too. So it must be true.