At the meeting last week, General Izurieta divulged a rambling letter in which General Pinochet appears almost to relish his misfortunes, as a chance to entrench his political legacy.

ECONOMIST: The politics of Pinochet

But in some ways Mr Prescott has also been the engineer of his own misfortunes.

ECONOMIST: John Prescott��s calming influence

Set in a run-down Victorian house, it followed the misfortunes of Rigsby and his tenants Alan, Philip and Miss Jones - the object of his affections.

BBC: Rising Damp to return on stage with UK tour