Why Prezza's not very ship- shape...

First his risque jokes upset fellow cruise passengers. Now he may have norovirus

By Gerri Peev
Last updated at 7:35 AM on 27th December 2010

Heavy going: Critics say Lord Prescott tripped over his words

Given his early job as a ship’s steward and the ups and downs of his political career, John Prescott should be used to choppy waters.

But he may be finding his new role as a guest speaker on a luxury cruise liner surprisingly heavy going.

First of all, some of his humour was decidedly ‘below decks’ and didn’t go down at all well with his upmarket audience aboard the Queen Mary 2.
And now there are reports that Lord Prescott and his wife Pauline may have fallen victim to an outbreak of the vomiting bug norovirus.

The 72-year-old Labour peer, who served as deputy prime minister under Tony Blair, had been booked to give two talks in the ship’s theatre.

But it seems he has upset some passengers, who claimed he gave a stumbling performance, tripping over his words and losing his notes several times before launching into risqué jokes.

With Lady Prescott, his wife of 49 years, watching, he told bawdy anecdotes about his days as a steward, including the racy gifts he used to bring home for her. He told his captive audience: ‘I used to bring knickers back from the USA in boxes of seven, one for every day, didn’t I love? My favourite was the black pair for Saturday.’

Outbreak: The vomiting bug norovirus has hit 29 people on the Queen Mary 2 cruise

Lord Prescott has been given a first class cabin on the liner. But since the speech, neither he nor his wife have been seen dining in the Queen’s Grill, reserved for first class passengers.

It is not known whether the speech so embarrassed Lady Prescott that she did not want to be seen in public with her husband, or whether the couple may have fallen victim to the outbreak of norovirus.

A spokesman for cruise operator Cunard confirmed that Lord and Lady Prescott were on board the ship, bound for the Caribbean.

Stand by your stand-up comedian: Lady Prescott is understood to be embarrassed by her husband's speech to fellow passengers

Referring to the norovirus, the spokesman added: ‘It’s a relatively modest outbreak with 29 passengers out of a total of about 2,500 displaying symptoms.’

Queen Mary 2 is described by Cunard as ‘the most magnificent ocean liner ever built’. First class guests receive sugar-iced strawberries and champagne on arrival, and are greeted by a butler who unpacks their belongings.

Secret affair: John Prescott, pictured in 2002 when he was Deputy Prime Minister, with his diary secretary and lover Tracey Temple

The 15-night ‘grand Caribbean cruise’, which departs from New York, costs from £3,098.50. But for a first-class cabin such as the Prescotts’, prices rise to £9,728.50 per person.

Whatever they paid, it seems some passengers will not appreciate the entertainment. ‘Certainly Prescott’s next speech is not something everyone is looking forward to,’ one told a Sunday newspaper. ‘However it gets worse – Des O’Connor is also due to perform.’