Not content with his initial apology, Nick Clegg has attempted to further rebuild his credibility by appearing on CBBC show Get Your Own Back. At the press confer- ence before the show, Clegg explained his decision alongside presenter Dave Benson Phillips. “Following the runaway success of my apology statement, which prob- ably moved millions to tears, I was trying to think up further ways to get my mes- sage across to the younger generation. That's when I twigged that the charming man I often saw resting outside my local reclamation yard was none other than Dave [Benson Phillips]! When I approached him he suggested 1 use his old show to reach the young electorate. I agreed immediately.”
Benson Phillips, sporting a deep purple Hawaiian shirt featuring six dolphins and a semi-covered lady, gave his perspective on Clegg's appearance. “In the context of the contemporary political spectrum, Clegg’s decision is a powerful statement, a profound image of a man throwing him- self into a pool in order to metaphorically come out clean. It’s the kind of catharsis that Get Your Own Back always aspired to achieve.” Phillips also mentioned that he was available for “children’s birthday parties, local radio shows, club nights — anything, really. I've been between pro- jects since the BBC pulled out of my period drama The Gunge-back of Notre Dame. Originally they had promised me a pilot episode, but later said they ‘shouldn’t have made a promise they weren't absolutely sure that they could keep. I just wish they'd apologised for leaving me on the hook with a new Fiat Multipla bought on instalments.”
During the show Clegg apologised di- rectly to camera as he was slowly cranked above the gunge pool by a sweating Ben- son Phillips. His apology was cut short, however, by the snapping of a mouldy piece of twine that had held the rusty gunge-scat together. Clegg was prema- turely plunged into the gunge, his desper- ate screams of “I'm sorry!” drowned out by the viscous goo that spilled into his mouth. Benson Phillips, vowing never to rely on twine again, pencil-dived into the gunge pool, knocking Clegg unconscious. “I'm sorry” said Benson Phillips, “I'm just glad I didn’t have enough money to put any film in the cameras.”