No show? Here's the bill, Clinton...

He built his political appeal around his fondness for hamburgers.

So perhaps Bill Clinton was out searching for a McDonald's when he should have been dining in style at one of Rome's most fashionable restaurants.

But, whatever the reason, he is being threatened with legal action for not turning up for his dinner reservation.

The former US president booked a table for 18 at the Michelin-starred Agata e Romeo - and even sent his security guards to give the place the once over.

But at 2.30pm, an hour after Clinton was expected, no one had arrived to eat
the £1,000 worth of extra food and wine that owner Romeo Caraccio had ordered in especially for his VIP diner.

'The boss was furious as Clinton didn't even have the decency to cancel,' said a waiter at the restaurant.

'When Mr Caraccio called the security guard to find out what was happening, he just said "change of plan" and put the phone down.'

A spokesman for the US embassy added: 'I can confirm that Mr Clinton had to pull out. There is nothing we can do.'