Indeed, the first big screen depiction came in 1935's Royal Cavalcade, where C M Hallard took Churchill's part, a full five years before the man himself entered Downing Street as Hitler's forces rolled across western Europe.

BBC: News - Today - Being Winston

But Mr Blair, 55, has recently spoken out on the subject far more than during his 10 years in Downing Street.

BBC: Blair 'to devote life to faith'

More than a thousand years ago, well-off Anglo-Saxons living by the site of present-day Downing Street built a small church on nearby Thorney island.

BBC: The hidden history of Westminster

David Cameron spoke to her on Monday and afterwards Downing Street briefed that the two leaders had agreed that the current proposal on the table - 973bn euros over seven years - had to be reduced further.

BBC: France takes aim at Britain