Alastair Campbell: Princess Diana, celebrity politicians and how to ACTUALLY make a difference

Hi huns, we’ve got someone a little different from the usual celeb on the pod this week: Tony Blair’s former spin doctor Alastair Campbell, who is currently having a second wind of fame thanks to his top-charting podcast The Rest is Politics, of which both of us are HUGE fans. 

This month he also released a brilliant new book called But What Can I Do? which is all about motivating young, capable people to get into politics and shake things up, with lots of practical tips on how to improve the essential skills you need in politics, from communication to body language.

Of course, true to the Straight Up USP, we had to ask Alastair all about his most surreal – and nightmarish – celebrity encounters, from Princess Diana to Jimmy Savile. Plus, he revealed his biggest celebrity crush, how he feels about his daughter's risque comedy, and his surreal interlude writing erotic fiction.

We had so much fun (despite Alastair ripping us for our shameful lack of general knowledge) that he even let us accompany him to his home after the recording to sign some books for us. Though he may have got cross that we didn't immediately recognise his portrait of John Lennon - oops.

We hope you have as much fun listening as we did recording this one! Please let us know what you think by leaving us a review on Apple Podcasts or rating us on Spotify and come say hello on Insta ⁠@straightuppod⁠

Thanks so much to our amazing partners for this episode:

Art Fund, which has an amazing art pass that allows you to see paid exhibitions at major galleries from the Tate to the V&A; and National Gallery at half the price! Head to artfund.org/national-art-pass to grab your 3-month trial National Art Pass for just £15, PLUS you can add a free plus one to your trial membership with promocode STRAIGHTUP.

Yonder, the new lifestyle credit card that gives you the most incredible perks, allowing you to convert the money you spend on your card into points that are then redeemable at some of London’s best restaurants, bars, cafes and entertainment spots – from Lina Stores to BAO. AND if you join now you get your first 6 months for free! Get yours at yondercard.com

Also thanks very much to the Dartmouth Arms in Highgate for hosting us! This gorge pub has an amazing dining club, the next one is on Thursday 29 June in collaboration with Uncharted Wines and is just £50 a ticket for five courses and a welcome drink with an optional £30 wine pairing supplement, tickets available at disappearingdiningclub.co.uk.