Irish Times 2001; John Reid has enjoyed a blessed career within Tony Blair's administration, starting at the Ministry of Defence and becoming the front man for getting the government out of crises.

A few things are very important to him. The first is his PhD in economics. The second is guitars. Unusually for a new Labour politician, Dr Reid has interests beyond politics. He is passionate about playing the guitar and is said to be accomplished. He likes folk music and gypsy rhythms and is known as a man who likes to party.

Wikipedia; He retired from frontline politics in 2007 following Gordon Brown's appointment as Prime Minister, taking on a role as the Chairman of Celtic Football Club. After stepping down as an MP in 2010, he was nominated for a life peerage in the Dissolution Honours and elevated to the House of Lords as Baron Reid of Cardowan.