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Alastair Campbell finally meets his match as he is roundly booed by Top Gear audience

 

 

By Nicola Boden

Last updated at 12:01 PM on 5th July 2010

 

 

 

As Tony Blair's former spin doctor, Alastair Campbell made a name for himself dishing the dirt on his political foes and rounding on any critics of New Labour.

 

Even in 'retirement', he managed to enrage Sky News Political Editor Adam Boulton on live TV and apparently scare the new Government into pulling out of Question Time.

 

But on Top Gear last night, Campbell appeared to meet his match - and not in the form of outspoken host Jeremy Clarkson who is known for his Right-wing views.

 

Appearing in the 'star in a reasonably priced car' slot, the ex-spin doctor was roundly booed as he walked through the studio audience.

 

Looking uncomfortable, the top Labour figure - who also advised Gordon Brown in the last election - turned on the hecklers saying: 'Come on then, come on then'.

 

article-1292090-0A53FA4D000005DC-895_224x395.jpg

article-1292090-0A53FC57000005DC-177_224x395.jpg

 

 

Uncomfortable: Alastair Campbell purses his lips as he is quizzed by Jeremy Clarkson on Top Gear. He was booed by the audience when he walked in

 

 

 

article-1292090-0A53FD92000005DC-532_468x286.jpg Light grilling: Campbell and Top Gear host Jeremy Clarkson chat

 

Clarkson joked he had walked into a 'den of lions' before admitting he had been concerned about the interview because of their clashing political views.

 

Campbell worked for Mr Blair from 1994 until 2003, and was at the heart of the New Labour project.

 

TV star Clarkson, meanwhile, is known for his strong views on everything from motorway bus lanes to global warming and writes a column in The Sun.

 

Campbell, 53, was on the hit BBC show to promote the updated version of his diaries Prelude to Power about the rise of New Labour in the 90s.

 

Initially, Clarkson tried to put him at his ease - asking him about his favourite colour (answer - claret and blue) and star sign (gemini).

 

Although the chat inevitably steered onto politics, the host steered clear of an all-out row with Campbell and mostly kept it lightweight.

Earlier last week, the ex-spin doctor had asked people on Twitter how to handle Clarkson and was told to ask him who he voted for.

 

The presenter refused to be drawn - although Campbell guessed Tory - and the two promptly argued about the election result.

 

Campbell insisted David Cameron had not won. 'He's the Prime Minister but he needs little Cleggo', he said in a jibe at the coalition.

 

On this at least, Clarkson agreed - saying: 'He needs the Teaboy, I agree'.

 

Later, during his lap, Campbell made another dig at the Deputy Prime Minister. 'Nick Clegg should do this because he hasn't got an awful lot to do,' he said.

He ended up completing the route in 1.47 - making him the second fastest driver of the series so far behind Dragons Den panellist Peter Jones.

 

Campbell was delighted to beat BBC Political Editor Nick Robinson, who did it in 1.49.9 in the first episode last week.

 

article-1292090-0A53FE94000005DC-535_468x323.jpg At speed: Campbell on the track, which he completed in 1 minute 47 seconds

 

In his blog today, he admitted he had only gone on the show to try to sell his book to 'middle England petrolheads' and said much of the interview had been cut.

 

The exchange had covered global warming, gay rights and his live TV row with Sky political editor Adam Boulton but this was all edited out, he revealed.

 

The pair also touched on Gordon Brown and the 'Bigotgage' row and Clarkson was asked if he voted BNP - to which he gave no answer, Campbell said.

 

He called on the public to push the BBC to release the interview in full - although he admitted it had been edited 'perfectly fairly'.

 

And he even seemed to have become a reluctant fan of the show's host, admitting the audience loved him and that he was was a master at the 'banter' required.

 

'Top Gear is a phenomenon. I am glad I went on it. I think Clarkson has many obnoxious views but he has a charm that takes him a long way,' he said.

 

The BBC has previously come under fire for the amount of publicity it gives to Campbell.

 

He appeared on Question Time two months ago as Labour's spokesman despite not being an elected representative of the party.

 

And in 2008, there was anger at the level of coverage he was given when publicising the earlier version of his diaries.

 

The corporation was accused of pandering to him by spending £300,000 televising the books.

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1292090/Alastair-Campbell-booed-appears-Top-Gear.html#ixzz0sp8yXEyw

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Guest howyousawtheworld

Best moment of that interview- Clarkson having a dig at Labour officials who educated themselves at a Oxbridge college! Contradicting idiots!

 

Felt rotten when James May was mocked for having to wear the dress wear for any 'normal Mercedes driver'. I have the very orange t shirt he was wearing. :\

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