Alastair Campbell was born in Keighley, Yorkshire, in 1957, the son of a vet. Having graduated from Cambridge University with a degree in modern languages, he went into journalism, principally with the Mirror Group. When Tony Blair became leader of the Labour Party, Campbell worked for him first as press secretary, then as official spokesman and director of communications and strategy from 1994 to 2003. He continued to act as an advisor to Blair and the Labour Party, including during 2005 and subsequent elections. He is now engaged mainly in writing, public speaking and consultancy and is an ambassador for a number of mental health charities. He lives in north London with his partner of thirty-eight years, Fiona Millar, with whom he has three grown-up children. His interests include running, cycling, playing the bagpipes and following the varying fortunes of Burnley Football Club. This is his twelfth book since leaving Downing Street.