Inside Michael Portillo's private life with wife after 'homosexual past'

We've watched Michael Portillo on our screens for years as he's taken us on a journey through his numerous travel programmes, rarely ever giving us insight into his life behind the lens. Whether he's soaking up countryside views in his long-running Great Railway series or gallivanting around Europe uncovering hidden gems, the former Conservative MP is always keen for an adventure. Although, when he's not soaking up the sun, Michael and his wife of 40 years, Carolyn Eadie, spend time split between their two homes.

The 71-year-old has been married to his wife for more than four decades, and while his personality is well-known from his time on TV, Carolyn remains relatively unknown. It's believed that the two met during their years spent studying at the University of Cambridge in 1982. During a 1999 interview about his years at university, the TV host shared that he had "homosexual experiences" during this era of his life. Although, later on, The Times reported that he claimed to be "happily married", adding, "That is behind me now."

Portillo claimed: "I was keen to put to rest the rumours that had been circulating about me, and I cannot really believe that what happened a generation ago could be big news.

"I do not think it was a particularly big burden, and I do not have any regrets. The truth is a good thing."

Not too long after he tied the knot with Carolyn in 1984, Michael began his political career. He became a Member of Parliament for Enfield Southgate until 1997 and in 1999 represented the area of Kensington and Chelsea up until 2005, when he announced his retirement from politics.

The pair own a house here in the UK but can often be found at their Spanish retreat, around 20 minutes or so outside of Seville. Sitting specifically in Carmona, their home abroad has also been the subject of a TV show the former MP has hosted.

While the inside of their home remains unseen, a programme uncovering the history and charm of the area shared incredible mosaics were found beneath the stone floors. Unbeknownst to them, their property was housing historic Spanish features dating back a few decades.

In his true journalistic ways, Michael, who happens to have Spanish heritage, took it upon himself to uncover more about the area he calls home in a TV series. It was during this time that he discovered the ancient remains at the property.

When writing his column for The Telegraph in 2023, Michael explained, "Carmona is full of layers of history. In my house, which we're going to visit in the last programme, I discovered Roman mosaics, Visigothic artefacts, and three beautiful Islamic horseshoe arches from pre-1248. This idea of history is everywhere in layers."