Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg today became a pop sensation after storming into the charts.

After two years of languishing in the political polls the Liberal Democrat leader is today enjoying some popularity - at least in the Apple iTunes chart.

The spoof song, which uses Mr Clegg's two-and-a-half-minute video apology over his party's pledge on tuition fees, went to number 39 in the iTunes chart, just a little more than 12 hours after its release.

It is unclear whether Mr Clegg, thought to be the first member of the Cabinet to have enjoyed a chart career while still holding a day job, will manage to outperform pop rivals such as The Script and Little Mix in the sales tally.

But he has already seen off stiff competition from Kanye West and is hot on Pink's heels.

Nick Clegg Says I'm Sorry (The Autotune Remix) song initially entered the Apple iTunes chart at 116, but sales quickly soared. The spoof was created by satirical website www.thepoke.co.uk.

A spokesman for the website said: "Nick Clegg has been very good-humoured about this.

"He has become the first politician in history to achieve a position in the pop charts for making an apology.

"The Poke is staggered by its success."

Mr Clegg gave permission for the single to be released and all profits will be given to Sheffield Children's NHS Foundation Trust, of which his wife Miriam is a patron.

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• Chris Huhne

  <strong>Current Job:</strong> Looking for a job <strong>Pro:</strong> Narrowly lost the last leadership race against Clegg <strong>Con:</strong> That is a picture of him arriving at court

• Vicky Pryce

  <b>Current Job:</b> Appearing on TV to NOT talk about *that* court case. <b>Pro:</b> She is a world class economist and has made no secret of her political ambitions <b>Con:</b> Had a spot of bother with someone driving a tad fast

• Tim Farron

  <strong>Current Job:</strong> Party president and 'differentiator' in chief <strong>Pro:</strong> Makes really good jokes <strong>Con:</strong> A bit of a joke

• Charles Kennedy

  <strong>Current Job: </strong> Being popular <strong>Pro: </strong>He is popular (with people) <strong>Con:</strong> But he is not popular (with Lib Dem MPs)

• Ed Davey

  Current Job: Energy secretary Pro: Could sneak up through the middle (see: John Major) Con: Who?

• Vince Cable

  <strong>Current Job:</strong> Texting Ed Miliband Pro: Popular with the left of the party and Labour Con: Tory business minister Michael Fallon is under orders to assassinate him if he makes any moves against Clegg

• Simon Hughes

  <strong>Current Job: </strong> Turning down jobs Pro: Free of the coalition dirt Con: Missed his chance?

• Jo Swinson

  <strong>Current Job:</strong> Trying to break the Lib Dem glass ceiling <strong>Pro: </strong>Would be the party's first female leader <strong>Con: </strong> The Lib Dems strangely do not have a great record on promoting women

• Evan Harris

  <strong>Current Job: </strong> Hanging out with Hugh Grant <strong>Pro: </strong> Lost his seat so is untainted by Tory germs <strong>Con: </strong> The Sun would monster him

• Duncan Hames

  <strong>Current Job: </strong> Mr Swinson <strong>Pro: </strong> Up. And. Coming. <strong>Con</strong> Would have to fight his wife for the job