Blair returns to TV 'grillings'

Mr Blair has appeared on several TV shows recently

Prime Minister Tony Blair will follow his appearances on shows such as The Wright Stuff and Richard and Judy to face more questions live on TV.

He is to take part in two hour-long live programmes on Wednesday to answer questions on health and crime.

In the first programme, Mr Blair will field questions from medical staff and patients at a Midlands hospital.

Hours later, he will be questioned by police and probation officers. The two programmes will be shown on Sky News.

'In touch'

The channel's "Blair Day" comes weeks after Mr Blair took questions from the public on programmes on terrestrial channel Five.

On one programme he was criticised by mother Maria Hutchings over the phasing out of special needs schools.

On another show he was asked by nurse Marion Brown whether he would wash hospital patients for £5 an hour.

On Channel 4, he appeared on Richard and Judy, playing the "You Say We Pay" game, where he had to guess the identity of people and objects to win money for callers.

Five also aired shows where Tory leader Michael Howard and the Liberal Democrats' Charles Kennedy were questioned.

Mr Blair, however, has ruled out a US presidential-style debate with his rival party leaders.