'It was strictly politics', complains Lib Dem MP rejected from Come Dancing

But that wasn't enough to win Vince Cable a spot on Strictly Come Dancing.

The LibDem deputy leader, a keen ballroom dancer, claims he was refused a place on the BBC show for political reasons.

Hopes dashed: MP Vince Cable believes the BBC are scared to allow only one political party on the hit dancing show

Mr Cable, 65, says the corporation was 'completely freaked' by the idea that it could be seen to favour one party over another.

'They were terrified that it would be used to score political points and that Labour and the Conservatives would want their MPs on the show to give it political balance,' he said.

Mr Cable's dream of appearing on the show first became a possibility last December.

After a highly successful stint as acting LibDem leader, during which he made his wisecrack that Gordon Brown had gone 'from Stalin to Mr Bean', he was in demand for interviews.

He made it clear he would 'bite the hand off' Strictly Come Dancing bosses for a chance to appear.

He took up ballroom dancing with his first wife Olympia, and still has weekly lessons with his second wife, Rachel. His hobby has earned him many awards.

Stepping out: Weekly lessons have helped Vince and Rachel Cable win several awards

The Twickenham MP said he was keen to give younger competitors, such as 2006 winner cricketer Mark Ramprakash, a 'run for their money'.

A friend put out feelers with the corporation on his behalf but was turned down. Mr Cable said: 'I think partly it was a matter of age. And not that I was in the Mark Ramprakash class, but they definitely did not want a political input.

A BBC spokesman said: 'Lots of people come to us and we try to pick the best, most entertaining line-up possible.'