LIBERAL Democrat leader Nick Clegg was smiles ahead in last week’s live political debate, a body language expert has claimed.

Mr Clegg has already been hailed the stand-out winner from the leaders’ showdown and, as a result, has seen his party’s standing soar in opinion polls.

Now, to mark National Smile Month, he is being awarded a new accolade of best smile.

Body language analyst Judi James said: “Clegg had a ‘boy next door’ smile which looked natural and which was also quite contagious – the sort of smile that makes you smile back.

“He didn’t smile many times during the debate but when he did his smile looked boyish. He also used the upturned smile to register doubt when one of the others was speaking.”

She said Prime Minister Gordon Brown had “the best and worst smiles” but was not as consistent as Mr Clegg.

“His pinging smile is too rigid and appears out of nowhere to disappear just as quickly, but his teeth are attractive and when his smile is genuine rather than forced it can look the best,” she said.

And she added that Conservative leader David Cameron was too sparing with his smiles. “Cameron can do a good smile but he tends to keep it in check.

“He rightly seems to try to avoid looking smug and he probably feels the state of the country’s finances need a concerned frown rather than a grin.”

More Election News