President Obama dyes his hair?

As presidential cover-ups go, it may be splitting hairs.

But the idea that Barack Obama may be dyeing his greys has taken the American media by storm.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown's historic speech to the US Congress barely rated a mention in the US press - but Barack Obama's personal barber received top billing as he insisted the president's hair really is going grey after just 45 days in office.

The 47-year-old's shock transformation from youthful senator to silver fox during his presidential campaign last summer prompted rumours he was dyeing his hair grey to appear more experienced.

Then, two days ago, it was noticed that Mr Obama's hair appeared dark and youthful again.

It is speculated that, now that the president is safely in office, he is trying to appeal to younger Americans once more - with some help from a hairdresser, of course.

American media - including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Fox News and the gossip website Gawker - picked up the story of Mr Obama's do on Thursday, giving his personal barber top billing.

Zariff explained away the discrepancy by saying the amount of grey depended on the cut he gave Mr Obama.

Zariff has cut Mr Obama's hair for 17 years - and, he said, the president's apparent transformation from raven black to salt and pepper last summer was real and normal for his age.

But his current youthful appearance is also natural, Zariff insisted.

'I can tell you that his hair is 100 per cent natural,' Zariff said. 'He wouldn’t get it coloured.'