Friends with Amal Clooney, 'inspiration' for TV show: Interesting facts about new UK PM Keir Starmer

61-year-old Labour leader Keir Starmer is the new UK PM

Keir Starmer on Friday officially became the new prime minister of Britain after accepting King Charles III's offer to form the government.

His Labour Party has swept the general election in the country, winning over 400 seats in the 650-member House of Commons and marking an end of the 14-year Conservative rule.

Here are 10 things you probably did not know about Keir Starmer:

1. Keir Starmer was once caught on camera calling for the British monarchy to be abolished. But years later, he was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II but rarely uses the prefix "Sir".

2. He is rumoured to be the inspiration for the brooding lawyer character of Mark Darcy, played by Colin Firth on screen, in the Bridget Jones books and movies.

3. He received honorary degrees from several universities, including University of Essex, University of Leeds, London School of Economics and more.

4. He comes from humble beginnings but has managed to amass a net worth of approximately £7.7, as per various reports.

5. In financial year 2022-23, he paid just under £100,000 in total taxes

6. Before entering politics, Starmer was a prominent human rights lawyer and has fought several high-profile cases during his career.

7. He is friends with human rights lawyer Amal Clooney from their time together at the same legal practice and once recounted a boozy lunch he had with her and her Hollywood actor husband George Clooney.

8. He grew up in Surrey (southern England county) in a posh suburb but comes from a working class family. His mother worked for the National Health Service, Britain's free public health care system. His father was a toolmaker.

9. He had three siblings, one of whom had learning difficulties. His parents were animal lovers who rescued donkeys.

10. Starmer is also a talented musician and plays violent. He learned it at school from Norman Cook, the former Housemartins bassist who became DJ Fatboy Slim. He even attended a prestigious London music school at weekends.

(With inputs from agencies)