Former union boss Jack Dromey tries hard to keep up his man of the people act, even now he is a Member of Parliament. Back in July he promised to take part in last Saturday’s Birmingham Half Marathon and press released the fact to his local rag. On Friday night attendees confirmed that he was as fit as a fiddle at a Compass event at which he spoke at in Birmingham. Yet on Sunday Dromey was a no-show at the marathon, citing a cold and the fact he was on antibiotics. However the drugs and Harriet gently mopping his brow must have had a wonderous effect since he had made a miraculous recovery in time for Sunday’s Politics Show.

After an audible gulp Jack’s office assured Guido that Jack hadn’t actually raised any money for the race, but that anything pledged will be rolled over to a fun run next year. Unless of course there is a chance to get on the telly…