The race for Mayor of London has taken a new twist amid speculation Lembit Opik may run for the Liberal Democrats.
The Montgomeryshire MP is probably best known for his relationship with Gabriela Irimia, one half of Romanian pop duo the Cheeky Girls, and his interest in asteroids.
His potential candidacy was floated by a senior aide to party leader Sir Menzies Campbell.
Ed Davey, who is Sir Menzies' chief of staff, said Mr Opik would make a "much better mayor" than incumbent Ken Livingstone or his main potential rival, Boris Johnson.
Mr Davey told ePolitix.com: "Lembit is a good friend of mine, I share an office with him, and if he decided to run he would certainly make one of the most interesting candidates in the race."
"Would Lembit make a good mayor? I think that Lembit would make a much better mayor than Boris Johnson or Ken Livingstone," he added.
After being told of Mr Davey's comments, Mr Opik refused to rule himself out, said he was "flattered" to be spoken of as a candidate, and said he would speak to Sir Menzies.
He said: "It's ever so flattering. If I was a London MP I would stand like a shot. The only issue is my constituency is 205 miles away.
"I think I might go and have a chat with the boss to see what's going on. The momentum seems to be developing a life of its own. Me, Boris and Ken would be a splendid contest. It would get a lot of interest and get the public voting as well."
If Mr Opik were to enter the race, and Mr Johnson, as seems likely, secures his party's nomination, it would pit three of Westminster's great political eccentrics against each other.
