Pulling no punches; Clegg the kick-boxer wants yellow gloves for Xmas

The Lib Dem leader is able to keep a relaxed demeanour because of his kick-boxing hobby. Credit: PA

Nick Clegg is hoping for a pair of boxing gloves this Christmas, but has promised not to use them in the House of Commons.

Clegg, who was once dubbed "the minister for meeting angry people and getting shouted at", admitted he attended weekly kick-boxing sessions because it "gets stuff out of my system".

However, the "slightly smelly" gloves at his gym were putting him off, so he dropped an unsubtle hint to his wife Miriam, saying he hoped she would buy him a yellow pair for Christmas while presenting his radio show.

Mr Clegg made the revelation during a festive version of his weekly Call Clegg phone-in on LBC 97.3 Radio - recorded at the Children's Hospital School, Great Ormond Street - to be broadcast on Christmas Day.

The deputy prime minister admitted he often had a specific person in mind when beating up a punching bag, but refused to say who.

"I sometimes imagine people, who will remain nameless," he told host Nick Ferrari.

Nick is hoping his Spanish wife Miriam will buy him a pair of boxing gloves is this shade of yellow. Credit: PA

Conceding that his choice was a gift to political satirists, he said: