Cherie Blair reveals how Tony Blair lost touch with reality during his final years as prime minister in London

Cherie Blair has given an intimate glimpse into the life of Tony Blair as he neared the end of his decade-long tenure as UK prime minister.

Speaking in a new Channel 4 documentary, she revealed that by the time he left Downing Street in 2007, Tony had “lost contact with reality.”

Reflecting on his leadership, she explained, “Your skill as a politician is about knowing about the people and living with the people and understanding what the people want.

Ten years of living in the goldfish bowl, you kind of lose contact with reality.”

Her words hint at the immense pressures and isolation of life at the very top.

The Weight of Power: Blair Speaks

The three-part documentary features Sir Tony himself, who offers a rare glimpse into the burden of decision-making.

“One of the things you learn is that ultimately you sit in the seat. You’ve got to take the decision,” he says.

This candid admission is paired with reflections from those closest to him — his grown-up children Euan, Kathryn, and Leo — and his former spin doctor, Alastair Campbell, who recalls finding Blair working late at his desk in No. 10 following the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

Campbell described it as “an absolute portrait in the isolation of power,” highlighting both Blair’s tireless energy and the loneliness inherent in leadership.

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Spin, Criticism, and Controversy

The documentary does not shy away from the criticisms that have followed Blair, particularly around the Iraq War.

Broadcaster Andrew Neil discusses the “whole obsession with spin,” while former Chancellor George Osborne comments, “People lost faith in what government was telling them.”

Even former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn weighs in, calling Blair “a man in denial.”

Series director Michael Waldman told Radio Times that the documentary reveals an unexpected side of Blair: “His self-assurance rarely cracks, even when interrogated about what many view as his gravest mistake, the invasion of Iraq.

Despite this conviction, what emerges is a level of emotion and psychological introspection that’s rarely been seen on camera.”

From Labour Leader to Prime Minister

The documentary traces Blair’s rise to power, beginning with his election as Labour leader in 1994 after John Smith’s sudden death, and his strategic maneuvering to persuade Gordon Brown not to run.

It covers his landslide election victory in 1997, his international work in Northern Ireland and Kosovo, and the unique rapport he built with US President George W. Bush following 9/11.

The series also features insights from former US officials including Bill Clinton and Condoleezza Rice, giving viewers a fuller understanding of Blair’s global impact and the decisions that shaped the early 2000s.

The Fall and Legacy

Blair’s departure in 2007, when he was succeeded by Gordon Brown, is also explored.

Cherie Blair’s reflections and the documentary’s broader portrayal of the psychological pressures of power serve as a reminder of how leadership can profoundly change a person.

What’s Next?

“The Tony Blair Story” airs on Channel 4 next Tuesday at 9pm.

Viewers can expect candid interviews, rarely-seen personal insights, and a chance to hear Blair’s perspective alongside those who witnessed his time in office firsthand.

Whether you agree or disagree with his decisions, the series promises to provide the “full account in his words” and invite audiences to “make your own judgment.”

Summary

Cherie Blair’s revelations, combined with testimonies from Tony Blair, his family, and key political figures, paint a complex picture of the man behind the premiership.

From meteoric political rise to controversial decisions and eventual resignation, the documentary explores the emotional and psychological toll of power while giving viewers a rare, humanizing look at one of Britain’s most consequential leaders.