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Parties often have their bad periods during the election campaign, the times which can jeopardise their poll rating.

The Belgrano row, the war of Jennifer's Ear, the Sheffield Labour rally.

Now I know how they feel as I've just been through a campaign slump.

It started last night when I nearly got into a fight in a pub.

Before you condemn me, I was working, and no alcohol had passed my lips.

Instead I was filming some Newcastle United supporters meeting party candidates in three city centre pubs for a report I'll tell you more about next week.

The shoots in the first two pubs went fine. It was early evening and although business was building up, the filming was trouble-free.

And when we made it to the third pub, it was completely empty. Nice and easy I thought.

Think again. Ten minutes in, and two of the noisiest drunks I've ever encountered rolled in, who were determined to play an unscheduled part in the filming.

When I asked for them to just give us a few minutes of peace, our relationship took a further downward turn, which ended in one of them threatening to "send the boys round" to my house.

I did in the end escape unscathed and with filming complete.

But my slump didn't end there. This morning I had to get up at an obscene hour to get to Middlesbrough College for a .

Bill Turnbull was awaiting my words of wisdom on the campaign in the region.

But somewhere around Seaham one of my tyres decided to blow up, and as sparks flew from the naked metal wheel on the road, my words were more of the basic Anglo-Saxon variety than wise.

A taxi ride allowed me to make a belated appearance with Bill before another cab ride to retrieve the remains of my car at Easington Services.

Oh and in between I'd also lost a contact lens at the back of my eye (apologies if you're having a bite to eat).

I'm hoping this is a temporary blip and I can retrieve my campaign, but I think any political analyst would say I've not had a good 24 hours.

When I did get to Middlesbrough, Breakfast's Bill asked me how much interest there might be in tonight's Prime Ministerial debate.

I'm sure as elsewhere in the country there will be a curiosity factor.

But it also struck me that for many, TV events like the Debates may be almost the only evidence that an election is on.

In some of our safe Labour constituencies, including the one I live in, there are no posters, little sign of campaign literature, and no prominent visits.

With resources tight this is an election being fought on just a few fronts in our region.

I shall certainly be watching tonight of course. What I'm debating though is whether I can justify watching it with a few beers.

After the last 24 hours I think I deserve a drink - but I think it'll be at home and not in a pub!

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