By Mail On Sunday Reporter
Is there no end to Vladimir Putin’s talents? The Russian Prime Minister already has a reputation as an accomplished fighter-jet pilot and Siberian tiger-hunter, and is a black belt in judo. Now you can add jazz crooner to the list.

The 58-year-old former KGB chief stunned an audience at a charity event on Friday that included Sharon Stone and Kevin Costner with his rendition of Blueberry Hill.

‘Like an overwhelming majority of people, I can neither sing nor play but I very much like doing it,’ he said modestly after being urged by the event’s host to get up on stage and perform. After playing the opening notes to the Fats Domino hit on the piano, he stepped up to the microphone and sang.

Putin on a show: The former KGB officer showcases his talents on the piano
Putin on a show: The former KGB officer showcases his talents on the piano
 

Putin, described as ‘alpha-dog’ in diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks, is reported to have sung patriotic songs to a group of Russian agents after they were expelled from America in July. But before Friday’s show in St Petersburg, his musical prowess had not been noted.

His spokesman said he learned the lyrics to Blueberry Hill as part of his English language studies.

At the show, Putin also tried to play a Soviet-era song called From Where The Motherland Begins but hit a wrong key and stopped.

Playing host: Putin entertains the crowd by singing patriotic songs with a young girl
Playing host: Putin entertains the crowd by singing patriotic Russian songs with a young girl

The former KGB officer has previously been photographed in a series of PR pictures on holiday.

Three years ago he was seen fishing bare-chested on a Siberian river as he entertained Prince Albert of Monaco on an outdoor pursuits holiday.

They weren’t the first images of the former Russian president holidaying in bare-chested in Siberia.

Images of a shirtless Putin fishing in a Siberian river caused a stir when they were published two years ago. The pictures sealed his fate as a pin-up for men and women alike.

He was seen showing off his torso again last year during a camping holiday in Siberia as he displayed his love of physical activity by snapping twigs over his knee for firewood and taking a brisk dip in a Siberian lake.

Outdoor pursuits: Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin swims in a lake in southern Siberia's Tuva region in 2009
Outdoor pursuits: Russia’s Prime Minister Vladimir Putin swims in a lake in southern Siberia’s Tuva region in 2009

The athletic politician demonstrated his trademark judo moves at a dojo school in St Petersburg, using a a sweeping hip throw on a succession of opponents.

He even released his own judo DVD two years ago, called ‘Learn judo with Vladimir’.

The photographic display of Putin’s masculinity has included images of him fishing shirtless, shooting a tiger with a tranquiliser dart, horseriding, racing a truck, driving a train, piloting a fighter jet and a commanding a submarine.