The political bush telegraph has been buzzing this week, not with rumours about a New Labour plot to deselect Gordon Broon, nor about whether David (42 days) Davies will resign again over the issue of ID cards. The excitement is not even about the increasing likelihood of a shock victory for the SNP in the Glasgow East by-election.
The story that is setting the tongues wagging is: Has Lembit Opik been dumped by his Cheeky Girl? Is Gabriella tired of the man whose name sounds like a throat sweet touching her bum, has Lembit missed one too many Cheeky Girl gigs in favour of attending a debate on Common Agricultural Policy beetroot quotas in eastern European EU members.

Has it finally dawned that even for someone whose involvement in the pop music industry is ephemeral to say the least, boffing a Liberal Democrat is not a good career move?

Poor Lembit. He could try to get back with his weather girl of course, but we fear he might be greeted by a cold front.