Shropshire Star

Watch: Jokes and laughter at David Cameron's last Prime Minister's Questions

David Cameron believes he has clocked up 5,500 questions while Prime Minister - although joked he will leave it to others to decide how many he has answered.

Published

Mr Cameron used his final appearance at Prime Minister's Questions to dismiss suggestions he will look to take over as Top Gear host or England manager, joking they "sound even harder" than being PM.

He also stressed his love for Larry the Downing Street cat and swapped warm wishes with Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn - despite numerous jokes at his opposite number's expense.

In his final exchange with the PM, Mr Corbyn insisted there will be "plenty more to come" for Theresa May after telling MPs he has asked Mr Cameron 179 questions.

Before his 180th question, Mr Corbyn wished Mr Cameron and his family well.

He told the outgoing PM: "I'd also like you to pass on my thanks to your mum for her advice about ties and suits and songs.

"It's extremely kind of her and I'd be grateful if you could pass that on to her personally. I'm reflecting on the lesson she offered.

"But I've got one rumour I want you to deal with. There's a rumour going around that your departure has been carefully choreographed so you can slip seamlessly into the vacancy created this morning on Strictly by Len Goodman's departure.

"Is that your next career?"

Mr Cameron replied: "I don't really have a pasa doble so no, I can promise that's not the case."

He described his wife Samantha as "amazing", and noted she was watching with their children from the public gallery.

Mr Cameron went on: "I've done a bit research. I've addressed 5,500 questions from this despatch box - I'll leave it to others to work out how many I've answered."

Addressing Speaker John Bercow, he said: "Because of your belief in letting everyone have their say, I think I've done a record of 92 hours of statements from this despatch box as well as some very enjoyable Liaison Committee appearances and other things.

"I will certainly send (Mr Corbyn's) good wishes back to my mother. He seems to have taken her advice and is looking absolutely splendid today."

Mr Cameron added to the Labour leader: "It gives me the opportunity to put a rumour to rest as well, even more serious than the Strictly Come Dancing one - you'll appreciate this because El Gato, your cat, is particularly famous - the rumour that I somehow don't love Larry.

"I do and I have photographic evidence to prove it."

Mr Cameron held up a photograph of himself with Larry, which he later tweeted:

He added: "Sadly I can't take Larry with me, he belongs to the house and the staff love him very much - as do I."