Michael Howard

Michael Howard has described his astonishment at being chosen as leader of the Conservative Party.

Interviewed by Sue Lawley on BBC Radio 4's Desert Island Discs this weekend, he says he didn't believe it could happen.

The Tory leader also said that he took Ann Widdecombe's "something of the night" comment "on the chin".

"You go into politics with your eyes open. You know it's a rough and tough business. You have to take these things on the chin," he said.

Indicating that he was not holding any grudges about the comment, he added: "We've had several perfectly friendly conversations since then."

Howard also described his reaction to being the sole contender to replace Iain Duncan Smith when he resigned as party leader last year.

"I was astonished," he told Lawley.

"It was not something I ever thought would happen.

"If we'd been sitting here a year ago and you'd told me that I'd be sitting here today as leader of the Conservative Party, I'd have said that you were prone to fantasies."