The Howards take to the TV couch

The wife of Tory leader Michael Howard has said she gets frustrated her husband does not portray his full character to the public.

The couple took to the couch on ITV1's This Morning show to be interviewed by Philip Schofield and Fern Britton.

Mr Howard revealed he is sometimes criticised by his ex-model wife for parts of his political work.

He also disclosed that one of their domestic passions was playing table tennis "pretty strenuously".

Energy

Mrs Howard admitted her husband could be "pretty difficult" - "like most men".

Asked if there was a different side to the Tory leader aside from his public persona, she replied: "I think that is very true, and because I know him so well it is frustrating that he is not showing the side of him that I know."

She praised his "incredible enthusiasm and energy".

Mr Howard has often been portrayed by his critics as cold and uncaring.

Private criticisms

He said marrying his wife had been the "best decision I have made in my life".

But she would say "sometimes nice things but often ' that was not very good' and 'why didn't you say this, that or the other?'"

Mrs Howard said she had been "very cross" her husband had not asked her to dance the first time they met.

Asked if it was love at first sight, she admitted there had been a "strong reaction".