Southampton-born Rishi Sunak said he experienced the ‘sting’ of racism while growing up in the city.

The Prime Minister, whose parents are of Punjabi descent but were born in East Africa and lived in Southampton, told ITV he grew “conscious of being different”.

In an interview for ‘Rishi Sunak: Up Close – Tonight' he said he felt the ‘sting’ of racism growing up while in a fast-food restaurant.

He said: “You are conscious of being different…. And obviously, I experienced racism as a kid.

“I was with my younger brother and sister. When I was with them in town at a restaurant, a fast-food restaurant, and people were saying some awful things.

“And the thing about racism, I mean, it stings you in a way that few other things do.”

He also told of his parents' efforts to help him and his siblings 'fit in' during their childhood.

“My parents felt it acutely because they were so keen for us to be able to fit in,” Mr Sunak added.

“One of the things my mum was obsessed with was that we didn't speak with accents and we, you know, we would speak properly.

“And, so she was keen for us to try and do some extra drama and things like that.”

During filming the PM revisited Bassett where he grew up and pointed to a lamppost which he used as a wicket when he used to play cricket outside.

Mr Sunak attended Stroud School in Romsey before being sent out to the prestigious and fee-paying Winchester College where he became head boy during his time there.

He recalls the ‘tough’ time when his parents took on extra jobs and loans so that their children could have a ‘great education’.

He said: “'I was hugely aware of it and it was an enormous privilege it.”

The 30-minute interview features when the Prime Minister, a confessed Saints fan, watched Southampton play Plymouth at St Mary’s Stadium.