Gordon 'The Clunking Fist' Brown Age: 57 Height: 5ft 11ins Strengths: "Formidable intellect", workaholic, prudence, mastery of detail, patience - it has taken Mr Brown 13 years to become PM Weaknesses: Often portrayed as a "control freak". Accused by opponents of "dithering" over last autumn's aborted general election and a succession of other decisions since then Style: Dour, reserved, intellectual, bank manager Wife: Married ex-PR executive Sarah Macauley, 45, in 2000. Low-key, under-stated style. Charity worker and credited with smartening up Mr Brown. Children: Sons - John, aged four, and James Fraser, aged two Favourite music: Coldplay and, famously, the Arctic Monkeys in the morning Favourite food: Scottish dish Rumbledthumps Background: Son of a Church of Scotland minister, who grew up in Glasgow before the family moved to Kirkcaldy. Life before politics: Was schoolboy academic prodigy, university rector in early 20s and TV producer before becoming an MP in 1983 Famous foes?: Spent years reportedly in behind the scenes battles with Blair Key Quotes: I will try my utmost. This is my promise to all of the people of Britain All I believe and all I try to do comes from the values I grew up with: duty, honesty, hard work, family and respect for others. Everyone deserves a fair chance in life

Nicolas 'The Rock Star' Sarkozy Age: 53 Height: 5ft 6ins Strengths: Moderniser, workaholic, ambitious, determined - contributed to the closure of Sangatte immigrant camp Weaknesses: Publicity surrounding his whirlwind romance with Ms Bruni was a departure from French tradition of keeping presidential private lives private Style: Charmer, Ray Bans, bling, Rolex, jogger Wife: Second wife Cecilia divorced him in October. Married glamorous Italian supermodel-turned-singer Carla Bruni, 40, in February, 2008. Children: Three sons from two previous marriages, plus Ms Bruni's son Aurelien. Favourite music: Listening to French rocker Johnny Hallyday Favourite food: Partial to Thai food Background: Son of a Hungarian immigrant and a French mother of Greek Jewish origin. Life before politics: Trained as a lawyer and was mayor of the affluent Paris suburb of Neuilly before becoming interior minister in 2002 Famous foes?: Fell out with mentor Chirac after backing rival for president in 1995 Key quotes: Certain people in France call me Sarkozy the American. I'm proud of it. I'm a man of action. I do what I say and I try to be pragmatic. Why so much hatred [directed at me]? Perhaps it's because I say out loud what everyone quietly thinks.