Strictly speaking Mr Brown, you should be leading

HE'S ALWAYS been strictly serious, but Gordon Brown tried to lighten up today by taking a twirl with Strictly Come Dancing semi-finalist Lisa Snowdon.

Only one problem spoiled what should have been a spin doctor's dream photocall: Mr Brown, as ballroom enthusiasts instantly spotted, adopted the female position for their brief dance.

At the very least, it meant the Prime Minister was playing second fiddle to his celebrity partner, when they opened a new London headquarters of the Global Radio Group. It confirmed what his critics had suspected: he is not the type of chap to whisk his partner off her feet for a night of waltzing.

The traditional hold in ballroom dancing has the man's right hand holding his partner around her waist. His left arm is the one that is meant to be outstretched, holding her right hand. In the PM's case, the arms were reversed. Downing Street was strictly ignoring the embarrassing mistake. Asked if he had ever been taught to dance, a spokeswoman promised to make inquiries but was markedly slow in coming back.

The gaffe could have earned Mr Brown the distinction of being an even worse dancer than former BBC political editor John Sergeant, who bowed out of the TV contest.

Capital FM presenter Ms Snowdon stars in the BBC television programme's final this weekend. Mr Brown's dancing days were thought to be over rather sooner.