THE Speaker of the House of Commons had the chance to meet his 'number one fan' during a whirlwind tour of schools in Wantage and Didcot.

Charlie Butler, a pupil at Fitzwaryn School, in Wantage, excitedly told John Bercow that he regularly watches broadcasts of his hero – because he loves to hear him calling out his famous idiom: 'Order! Order!'

Charlie, 12, said: “I watch YouTube videos of the Speaker all the time.

“I recently watched one from seven years’ ago, because I just love the way he talks to MPs.”

He was among 20 students with moderate learning difficulties who had the chance to quiz the Speaker about every aspect of his work, during an hour-long session to boost their understanding of British values and democracy.

The Speaker explained that while he is the 'referee' in the Commons, a highlight of his role had been hosting visiting dignitaries, such as former US President Barack Obama.

Fitzwaryn teacher Alexandra Miller said the visit had heightened student interest in the school council.

She added: “It was so wonderful for our pupils to have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of the Speaker, especially as he spoke in such an engaging way."

Mr Bercow, who has recently been in the headlines following accusations of bullying and harassment, also addressed students at Didcot Girls’ School and The Hendreds Primary School, as part of an educational outreach programme.

He told them he is on a mission to attract more women and black, Asian and minority ethnic people to positions of leadership in Parliament.

At The Hendreds school, Mr Bercow encouraged children to think about what they want to do for a living in the future – and to make sure it is something that gives them great joy.

He said: “I feel very lucky I do something that I love – and that’s my over-riding message to you.

“We spend about a third of our lives in work, so it’s very important you do something for a living that you enjoy for its own sake – don’t let anybody say you can’t succeed.

“Keep trying, don’t give up, don’t get dispirited, don’t think that you’ve lost. Instead you should persist, persist, persist.”