Nine politicians who had surprising jobs before entering politics

This week, Tony Blair discussed his failed attempts at becoming a comedian and a gigs promoter. He joins a number of politicans who have held positions a world away from their current careers

Tony Blair has said that Brexit is not inevitable (Getty)

Tony Blair – Rock gigs promoter

Before dragging his heels into politics, a young Blair spent a brief period pursuing a career as a rock gig promoter without much success.

Justin Trudeau – Bouncer

Canada’s incumbent Prime Minister appeared hell-bent on not following in the footsteps of his father as a young adult and was employed as a bouncer, snowboard instructor and teacher until eight years ago. He also tried his hand at boxing, even winning a few matches.

Gordon Brown – Tutor

The former Prime Minister worked as a tutor for the Open University and held a position as a lecturer in politics at the Glasgow College of Technology before leading the country, albeit briefly.

Dennis Skinner – Coal miner

Before the decades of delivering the monologues that earned him his reputation as a political firebrand, the veteran Labour MP worked as a coal miner for 20 years. He went onto become the youngest chairman of the Derbyshire National Union of Miners.

Dennis Skinner asks a question at Prime Minister's Questions (BBC)

John Langley – Porn star

The former vice chairman of the Ukip party in Bristol has an alter ego called Johnny Rockard who has appeared in adult films for almost forty years.

"I'm exactly the same as anyone else,” he told the BBC after coming out as a porn star. “On one side I have my performer side, and on the other I have my normal life."

He resigned from Ukip in August 2015.

Tony Abbott - Priest

Australia’s former Prime Minister found God before his political calling and trained to be a Catholic priest, eventually leaving the priesthood three years into his training.

Tony Abbott was almost a priest instead of Prime Minister (EPA)

Silvio Berlusconi - Cruise-ship singer

The controversial Italian Prime Minister is rarely far from the headlines (often for the wrong reasons). Yet Mr Berlusconi burst onto the political scene after humble beginnings as a cruise-ship singer.

Esther McVay - Children's TV presenter

Parents may recognise the Minister of State for Employment from her stint co-presenting CBBC strand But First This in 1991. She also co-hosted GMTV and the BBC1 series How Do They Do That? before branching into politics.

Stephen Crabb - Labourer

Wales Secretary of State Stephen Crabb on his visit to Baglan Community Centre (Getty)

The Secretary of State for Wales is one of the few Tory MPs to hail from humble beginnings. Mr Crabb grew up on a council estate and played lead guitar in “pretty crap rock band” before starting work as a labourer in Newport and then Brighton. His political career kicked off after he graduated from univeristy in Bristol.