David Blunkett tells Claire English how failure wasn't an option during his rise to political high office.

Blind from birth, he talks openly about the isolation of attending boarding school from the age of four, as well as the trauma of losing his father at the age of 12.

Coming from a deprived background, David recognised very quickly that his route out of poverty was through education and against all odds, he graduated from Sheffield University aged 22.

He went on to become the youngest-ever councillor on Sheffield City Council, and climbed his way up the political ladder to national Government, becoming the first ever blind Home Secretary.

Series looking at people who were pioneers in their field.

Producer: Philip Sime

First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in December 2010. Show less