Revealed: Why David Cameron hummed a now-notorious ditty on his way into Number 10

On the way out: David Cameron appeared outside Number 10 on Monday
Peter Nicholls/Reuters
Robin de Peyer16 July 2016
WEST END FINAL

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The reason for David Cameron's now-notorious humming after announcing Theresa May would take over from him has been revealed.

The outgoing Prime Minister was caught by microphones and TV cameras humming a ditty as he walked back into Number 10 following the Downing Street press conference.

It sparked a wave of speculation as to the tune - as well as claims the ditty showed Mr Cameron was delighted to be handing over power.

But it has now emerged that the hum was a result of the outgoing PM's nerves that he may be locked out of Number 10.

His former Communications Director Craig Oliver told BBC Radio 4: "I asked the PM what the tune was, and he said there wasn’t really one.

"He was just nervous that someone wasn’t going to reopen the door.

"There was a very, very pregnant pause before someone opened the door and he thought he might be stranded there."

Mr Cameron appeared to have recovered his composure by Wednesday when he made a series of gags during his final Prime Minister's Questions before Theresa May took over later that day.

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