Sarkozy has become an avid stamp collector

Nicolas Sarkozy has become an obsessive stamp collector in order to cultivate a calmer image as French president

In the latest bizarre insight into the French president's private life, it was revealed that Nicolas Sarkozy has become an obsessive stamp collector andu00a0fellow heads of state, including Queen Elizabeth II, help fill up his albums.

Sarkozy even sponsors the newly formed Elysee Philatelist Club, named after the Paris palace where he lives.

Celeb gifts
Among the items that have pride of place in the Sarkozy stamp collection is a set issued by UK's Royal Mail in 2004 to celebrate the Entente Cordiale. The stamps were a gift from the queen when the Sarkozys stayed at Windsor Castle on a state visit last year.

Sarkozy was also given a leather album full of stamps by California Governoru00a0Arnold Schwarzenegger.

"Sarkozy's collection is slowly growing into one of the most impressive inu00a0 the world because of all the international leaders he is in regular contactu00a0 with," said a club source. "Being French president is a perfect job for a keen philatelist."

Paris-based Gala magazine revealed the existence of the stamp-collecting club, describing it as "an independent association based at the presidential residence".

Sarkozy is said to pursue his hobby most evenings, regularly allowing his wife Carla Bruni to inspect his albums.

She has confided to friends that she is glad he no longer spends his evenings karaoke singing, as he used to in his bachelor days.

Before marrying Bruni a year ago, the so-called 'hyper-president' was known foru00a0 inviting young woman back to the palace for sing-alongs which lasted well intou00a0 the night. But she has since taken credit for calming Sarkozy down, finding him a personal trainer and getting him to give up high-sugar snacks like chocolate.

But despite his more relaxed image, Sarkozy's popularity rating is inu00a0 freefall as France suffers one of the worst recessions in the country's history.

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