By Hugh Davies
The Telegraph (UK)
(Filed: 17/08/2006)
ITV is turning John Prescott's adultery with his secretary into a £1.5 million drama called Prezza for prime-time transmission.
Casting is yet to begin, but Lancashire-born Warren Clarke, 59, famously grumpy as Det Supt Andy Dalziel in the BBC's Dalziel and Pascoe, is seen as ideal for the part of Mr Prescott who was raised in South Yorkshire, and represents Hull East.
Not amused: John Prescott is said to take himself seriously
Prezza, to be broadcast next year, will contain observations of high government, party politics and the media frenzy of Mr Prescott's fall from grace.
Central to the drama will be scenes of a sexual nature, as the film is being made by Mentorn, the independent producer behind More 4's A Very Social Secretary, about the extra-curricular activities of another New Labour minister, David Blunkett. Mr Blunkett instructed his lawyers in an attempt to suppress what many people regarded as a piece of legitimate television satire.
He also rang Channel 4's chief executive to complain. The film became a runaway hit.
Mr Prescott, currently in charge of Britain while Tony Blair is relaxing in the Caribbean, is unlikely to go so far. ITV's chief, Charles Allen, is resigning, anyway. However, Mr Prescott is not expected to be amused.
Westminster observers say he will hate the ridicule. One said: "He takes himself very seriously. The notion of millions of viewers guffawing at his plight could be his worst nightmare."
Needing to forge ahead in the ratings after a bad summer, ITV sees the 90-minute film as a "sassy" audience grabber, especially if the network can add either Michael Sheen or Robert Lindsay - both of whom have acted as Mr Blair - to the line-up.
ITV sources say that the film will take a "full and frank" look into Mr Prescott's life, including his 2001 punching of an egg-throwing protester in Rhyl, his "two Jags" fondness for cars and his passion for croquet.
However, the script will concentrate on his two-year affair with Tracey Temple, his diary secretary, which is said to have started after an office party and continued in his grace-and-favour flat in Whitehall and at his then country home, Dorneywood.
A noted soap actress is being approached to play Pauline, Mr Prescott's wife of 44 years, whom the MP admitted was "devastated" by the revelations.
