John Prescott: Former UK Deputy Prime Minister Dies at 86

John Prescott, who served as the UK's deputy prime minister under Tony Blair from 1997 to 2007, died at the age of 86 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

A peer since 2010, Prescott was born in Wales to a railway signalman and a domestic helper.

He began his career at sea, working as a steward and boxing for entertainment, before entering parliament in 1970.

Rising to deputy leader of the Labour Party in 1994, he played a crucial role in bridging the gap between Blair's modernized 'New Labour' and its traditional grassroots members.

Known for his straightforward demeanor, Prescott was often ridiculed for his speaking style, but remained a key political figure, famously retaliating during the 2001 election campaign when he punched a man who threw an egg at him.

His media nickname, 'Two Jags', came from his ownership of two Jaguar cars.

In 2006, Prescott admitted to an affair with his diary secretary, Tracey Temple, which led to allegations of sexism but did not diminish his wife's support.

Later that year, a parliamentary investigation into his ties with American billionaire Philip Anschutz, who sought to develop a London casino, concluded without charges.

Despite these controversies, Prescott's impact on British politics remains significant.