Boris Johnson has spectacularly refused to rule out a political comeback as he warns that he has a ‘cockroach-like’ desire to “survive and to continue”.

In two interviews over the past 24 hours both in Britain and the US he both refused to rule out a comeback and hinted he still harbours ambitions to return and lead the Tory Party.

Speaking to Fox News interviewer Martha MacCallum observed that it sounds like he “wants to run again”, something Mr Johnson deflected from by joking he is “living a life of blissful rustic obscurity, writing books.”

He added: “I have plenty to occupy my time. I’ve got a young family and three young children – well, loads of children but three particularly young ones.”

On Times Radio this morning he used all his best gags and deflections to suggest his return as Tory leader is incredibly unlikely.

However many of the lines, including saying that his return is as likely as “being decapitated by a frisbee”, he previously used before becoming Prime Minister.

Asked by Stig Abell whether he will be leader of the Conservative Party once again, he joked: “I think my chances of being leader of the Conservative Party again are about as good as being blinded by a champagne coup, decapitated by a frisbee, locked in a disused fridge, reincarnated as an olive, or being interviewed by Sting Abell in a friendly, calm and convivial way!”

Mr Abell repeated the question, with Mr Johnson dodging repeatedly: “The real answer is what her maj’ the Queen said – and I can say that without breaching any confidence – you should only do things if you think you could be useful’.

“I think that actually the [Tory leadership] candidates are very good and they’re having some excellent conversations about where we need to go.”

Asked if by implication he was admitting he is no longer of use to the Tory Party, Mr Johnson insisted “I’m not saying that.”

He explained: “I think I once said for all politicians to be effective they must be like wasps in a jam jar.

“They’ve got to want continually, cockroach-like, to survive and to continue.

“We all need people who really really want to do their best for us.”

Rumours about Mr Johnson’s political future are once again swirling, not just because of his new book but because of the shock outcome of yesterday’s Tory leadership election.

Mr Cleverly’s ejection from the race led to one well-placed Conservative telling ITV’s Robert Peston that the “most likely person to lead the party into the next election is now Boris Johnson”.

At the weekend, broadcaster and journalist Adam Boulton also speculated at this possible future scenario, writing: “[Boris] remains a contender, with a lucrative path back to power.”

“According to YouGov, Johnson enjoys an astonishing 99 per cent recognition rating.

“He is the second most popular Conservative politician… The tolerant British public even give him a narrow net favourability rating, 41 per cent to 40 per cent with 19 per cent undecided.

“It should come as no surprise that Johnson has once again pinched Arnold Schwarzenegger’s ‘Hasta la vista, baby’ adieu for the epigram of his memoir. We have not seen the last of him.”