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RESTING BEACH FACE

I’m a body language expert – Boris Johnson’s beach pose & unflattering shorts reveal how PM feels about quitting

WISH you were hear, hear?

The Prime Minister showed off his beach bod this week as he and wife Carrie holidayed on Greek island Evia.

Boris Johnson still reaching out for admiration, says Judi James
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Boris Johnson still reaching out for admiration, says Judi JamesCredit: Not known, clear with picture desk

It’s just one week since the outgoing PM honeymooned in a Slovenian eco-lodge - where he described himself as a man of action. 

He recalled: “We've climbed every available mountain, we've jumped in the lakes, we've been on bicycles and we've had a wonderful time.”

Snapped on the Mediterranean beach with his legs splayed wide, his full body unfurled and his arms thrown upward to the gods, body language expert Judi James says Boris "looks like an attention-seeking child demanding a cuddle" and demonstrates his "unsubtle desire to be the centre of attention".

She adds: "Those trunks are unforgiving and unflattering but in terms of ego it seems style matters less for the PM that the fact that everyone is still looking at him and still smiling at him.

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"It suggests he is still surfing the adrenalin of power rather than skulking away on the brink of a huge status demotion.

"Even the sight of several younger, fitter guys watching does nothing to suppress his alpha tendencies, with his emphatic, solid-looking leg splay forming a classic power-pose while he raises his arms in the air in a pit-bare to show everyone he still sees himself as the boss.

"Boris’ beach behaviour suggests he still craves the spotlight and the power and might do anything to ensure he retains them, whether that is inside or outside politics.

"Like a competitor on Love Island, Boris might just return from the sunshine break with an unquenched thirst for publicity and attention."

He’s not the only politician to send a message through their body language on their time off. 

From Kim Jong-un’s jollies to President Macron’s minibreaks, here Judi decodes what these past and present leaders’ hols reveal about them.  

Keir Starmer - Embarrassing dad

Rigid Keir Starmer bores his family in Mallorca in August 2022
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Rigid Keir Starmer bores his family in Mallorca in August 2022Credit: Collect

He might be wearing a flashy £150 Stone Island polo shirt, but Labour leader Keir is in embarrassing dad mode on holiday in Mallorca.

Starmer looks frowning and intense here in response to what looks like his family’s signals of holiday boredom.

He’s looking like the dad who tries to get the kids to put their phones away on holiday and play I Spy instead.

Justin Trudeau - Playing the clown

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau falls in the water in British Columbia
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Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau falls in the water in British ColumbiaCredit: Reuters

The cool shades and kit suggest things weren’t supposed to end with the leader bum-down in the briny. 

Canada’s Justin Trudeau’s boyish smile suggests he’s trying to make the best of the tumble as his legs splay and he loses his balance and his pride at the same time. 

The dimpled, knowing smile suggests it’s not the first time he’s looked like Mr Bean in public, though.

Jacinda Ardern - Cute comedienne

Jacinda Ardern shows her funny side with a fishing trip
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Jacinda Ardern shows her funny side with a fishing tripCredit: clarkegayford/Instagram

New Zealand premier Jacinda Ardern got to grips with some slippery characters on her hols.

The Kiwi PM went fishing with presenter husband Clark Gayford and daughter Neve, four.

This is cute comedy stuff from Arden who looks keen to show her fun side with an emphatically casual outfit to match.

Kim Jong-un - Un a break

North Korea's Kim Jong-un wouldn't be out of place on a British pier
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North Korea's Kim Jong-un wouldn't be out of place on a British pierCredit: Alamy

Far from his usual serious missile inspections, North Korean despot Kim Jong-un could be at home scoffing cockles or judging a knobbly knee competition at the British seaside. 

With his straw hat, white shirt and chuckling grin, he’s clearly a man who knows how to switch to holiday mode with a vengeance.

His gum-baring smile and that jovial-looking hand on his hip suggests he at least is intent on enjoying his hols.

Theresa May - Can’t let loose

Ex-Prime Minister Theresa May struggles to let loose in Italy
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Ex-Prime Minister Theresa May struggles to let loose in ItalyCredit: AFP

Robotic Theresa May is all business on top and party down below on holiday in Italy’s Lake Garda. 

This suggests the ex-PM is torn between secretly wanting to let her hair down but feeling it might be irresponsible. 

Wheat fields watch out, but those earrings suggest nothing more daring than a paddle in the sea might be on the cards for this holiday.

Donald Trump - Exhausted

The fun's over for The Donald... even on the green
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The fun's over for The Donald... even on the greenCredit: Reuters

It’s Hi-Di-High waisted trousers for Donald Trump on his golf holiday in New Jersey. 

If the former President’s enjoying the golf then his face doesn’t show it. 

His open mouth and drooping eyes suggest exhaustion while that golf iron looks raised in a defensive barrier pose.

Joe Biden - Something to prove

President Biden is trying to show he's fit for the job
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President Biden is trying to show he's fit for the jobCredit: Reuters

Sleepy Joe Biden got a bit too relaxed on holiday - taking a tumble off his bike near his holiday home in Delaware. 

All that Lycra sports gear and the grinning and waving to the camera from his bike shows Biden uses his holiday time to advertise the fact he is still as fit as a flea.

Age might be just a number but for Biden it might be time for the sun-lounger to beckon.

Emmanuel Macron - L'action man

French president Emmanuel Macron forgets he's a politician, not a star
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French president Emmanuel Macron forgets he's a politician, not a starCredit: Mega

Zut alors! Adrenaline junkie Emmanuel Macron must think he’s starring in his own imaginary movie in the south of France.  

The French President poses like a Hollywood A-lister as he sports his impeccably tailored trunks, and flashy jet-ski

But he has only one thing in common with Tom Cruise - his height. 

Barack Obama - Excelling 

Barack Obama keeps his cool while kitesurfing
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Barack Obama keeps his cool while kitesurfingCredit: Getty - Contributor

Cool customer Barack Obama shows he’s not one to get flustered - even hanging off the back of a boat. 

That widest of grins showing upper gums as well as teeth shows Obama was able to flip from politician to holiday mode with enthusiasm and confidence. 

His body language looks so congruent here that he excels at kite-surfing in the same way he excelled in the White House. 

Angela Merkel - No frills

Angela Merkel may have retired but she still means business
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Angela Merkel may have retired but she still means businessCredit: Getty

No-nonsense Angela Merkel has finally retired as German chancellor but she’s still not relaxing. 

A focused stare of grim determination suggests she is there on sufferance and determined to make the most of her time on Italian island Ischia, rather than just lounge around a pool. 

Even in her rather functional, no-frills swimsuit she fails to crack a smile, looking driven rather than playful or relaxed.

Tony Blair - Chameleon charmer

Tony Blair charms the crowds in Sardinia with wife Cherie
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Tony Blair charms the crowds in Sardinia with wife Cherie

Known for his wide grin, Tony Blair likes to think he can charm anyone - even the people of Sardinia. 

Chameleon man Blair soaks up the adulation of the crowds to show he can thrive in any situation. 

His rigid, determined smile suggests he’s that guy who will order his pasta speaking English with an Italian accent, throwing in the odd "ciao" to show off. 

David Cameron - Not chillaxed

David Cameron finds it hard to unwind in southern France
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David Cameron finds it hard to unwind in southern FranceCredit: BackGrid

For someone who likes to “chillax”, David Cameron looks like he’s struggling to unwind. 

You’d never know he was in St Tropez from the no-frills navy trunks and concerned frown on his forehead.

The former leader looks like a man who takes the weight of his workplace responsibilities away on holiday in his hand luggage. 

Margaret Thatcher - Ever the leader

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher never switched off on holiday
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Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher never switched off on holidayCredit: Getty

You can take the woman out of Number 10… but you can’t make her any less of a leader. 

Even on her hols Margaret Thatcher looked cravat-clad smart and her immaculate hair still shrieks Iron Lady. 

If there was an ‘off’ switch for the PM version of Thatcher she kept it well hidden - even on holiday.

Vladimir Putin - Vain bore

Vain Putin indulges himself on holiday in his homeland
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Vain Putin indulges himself on holiday in his homelandCredit: Getty

Putin’s one of those bores who will make you look through ALL his holiday pics. 

The Russian leader emphasises physical strength and power and the military boots and trousers combined with the designer shades and lack of shirt seems to emphasise that.

He’s an alpha hottie - but only in his head. 

Scott Morrison - Confident customer

Despite his shrinking undoes, Scott Morrison thinks he can face anything
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Despite his shrinking undoes, Scott Morrison thinks he can face anythingCredit: Splash

Former Aussie Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s swimmers seem to have shrunk in the wash. 

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But macho man Scomo looks confident and untroubled by the sizing challenge here on Sydney’s Bronte Beach. 

His ambling walk becomes a manly swagger thanks to the dipped shoulder, suggesting body confidence and high self-esteem.

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