Boris Johnson admits he dyes his trademark blonde hair

Former Mayor of London Boris Johnson has admitted that he dyes his hair.

The Conservative MP is known for his trademark blonde locks but has previously remained tight-lipped about his hair styling.

But in an interview with the Sunday Times, Mr Johnson admitted he used bleach to keep his signature look.

He initially said “This is the real thing. It’s all natural", but when pressed and asked if he dyed his hair, Mr Johnson said “Yes”.

But just hours after The Sunday Times published their story, Mr Johnson denied he had admitted to dying his hair.

Tim Shipman, political editor at The Sunday Times, posted on Twitter that the Conservative contacted him to say he "thought I was joking about hair dye and that he was joking too about using it."

A spokesman for Mr Johnson told the Standard: "Boris was joshing with him - of course he doesn't dye his hair."

Mr Johnson’s former MP father, Stanley Johnson, previously suggested his son’s hair colour was completely natural.

He said: “I can tell you that’s 100 per cent.

“I remember when he was born in New York, I nipped off to get a pizza and when I returned he was swaddled with all the other babies – but quite distinguishable by his shock of white hair.

“So I can reassure the nation, it’s quite genuine.”

But top hair stylist Heinz Schumi said he believed Boris reached for the dye some years ago.

He said: "I went to see him give a speech and when the spotlights shone on his hair, it was kind of orangey - it doesn't go light enough."