Barack Obama shows good humour as he is given a heart-shaped potato during an interview

President Barack Obama showed his good humour as he was given a heart-shaped potato during an interview on a late night talk show.

He also played down stories that racism had a part in people’s opposition to his policies – noting he was already black long before being elected.

The US president has been making a blitz of appearances on television as he bids to persuade Americans on the benefits of his controversial healthcare reform plans.

But, after a rapturous reception by the audience at the Late Show with David Letterman, Obama started off on a light-hearted note.

The host had earlier ridiculed an audience member for bringing to his attention she had a heart-shaped potato with her.

Obama riffed on the quip by saying that was the actual reason for coming on the show.

He said: “The main reason I am here? I wanna see that heart-shaped potato.”

Letterman handed the potato to Obama, who looked at it and smiled as he said: “That’s remarkable. This is remarkable.”

He then, with the audience member’s consent, kept the potato.

Source: Splash News