In pictures: Gordon Brown's life in politics

Portrait of Gordon Brown, Labour MP for Dunfermline East, in June 1983

Gordon Brown's working life began as a lecturer and TV reporter, but that was short-lived. On his second attempt, he was elected Labour MP for Dunfermline East in 1983.

Shadow Cabinet at the House of Commons, November 1988. From left, Back row: Michael Meacher, Dr David Clarke, Donald Dewar, Bryan Gould, Barry Jones, Tony Blair and Frank Dobson. Front: Dr John Cunningham, Derek Foster, Jo Richardson, Stan Orme, Gerald Kaufman, Neil Kinnock, Roy Hattersley, Robin Cook, John Prescott, Gordon Brown and Jack Straw

One important relationship formed in the early years was with fellow MP Tony Blair, pictured back row on right.

Tony Blair went on to lead the party to a landslide election victory in 1997 and Mr Brown became the most powerful chancellor in modern times.

Chancellor Gordon Brown, centre, is congratulated by Prime Minister Tony Blair, left, and John Prescott after delivering his speach at the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, Monday September 25, 2000

But that was not enough for Mr Brown, who had been assured of a shot at the top job in a deal with Tony Blair.

In 2000, after a six-year courtship, Mr Brown married PR executive Sarah Macaulay in a small private ceremony in Fife.

Gordon Brown shakes hands with Tony Blair

After 10 years waiting in the wings, Tony Blair finally handed over the top job. Within weeks of becoming prime minister, Mr Brown faced acts of terrorism, foot and mouth and floods across the country.

Gordon Brown during an interview on the BBC's Jeremy Vine show

In the latest general election campaign, his bid to return Labour to a fourth term in power unravelled when he was caught off guard calling a pensioner, who asked about immigration policy, a "bigoted woman".