How does Alastair Campbell manage depression while hosting The Rest Is Politics?

Alastair Campbell says he has not missed a podcast week in four years, even during depressive spells. On bad days recording feels like a chore and he slumps afterwards, but he would rather tell the team he is in a foul mood than leave them guessing. Poor sleep is his early warning sign to cut back. He also finds that thinking in a structured way about politics for the show is quite therapeutic.

• Campbell recalls telling Rory Stewart on air, early in the podcast, that he was not doing well, and found the conversation helpful.
• Fiona and Tony Blair have both told Campbell he has no idea how strongly he gives off a mood.

▸In their words

“It's a warning sign and it basically means just dial back a bit.” Alastair Campbell · at 49:30 — open in the transcript →

Source: our own transcription of the episode. The full conversation is on The Rest Is Politics (2026-10-15). Read the whole episode summary →

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