FOR ONCE, it was Dad's turn to be in the spotlight.

Yet, as city sheriff, Councillor John Slade was sworn in as Southampton's 784th mayor, there was someone else uppermost in most people's minds.

At the city's annual mayor making ceremony at the Guildhall, Cllr Slade's newly- famous daughter Mel was conspicuous by her absence.

The 17-year-old girlfriend of England football sensation Theo Walcott had joined her boyfriend at England's training camp in Portugal.

This did not stop fellow councillors having fun at Mr Slade's expense as his wife Sheila and daughters Sarah, 22, and Emma, 19, watched with the audience of several hundred.

As his year-long mayoralship was proposed, fellow councillor Alec Samuels said he was going to talk about Mr Slade as a modest family man who has done a lot of work for business in Southampton but, he said: "Ladies and gentlemen I am scrapping that - he is about the most famous mayor this city has had in 790 years."

To roars of laughter from the audience Mr Samuels continued: "He is the father of the girlfriend of a footballer!

"I am told he's a rather famous footballer and if and when he starts scoring goals he will be the most famous footballer in the land and beyond."

And then to rapturous applause Mr Samuels said finally: "It's with expectation and pride, and a tinge of envy we present to you with wholehearted support - Melanie's dad!"

Mr Slade thanked his wife and children for their support and mentioned that the media had been chasing his family ''relentlessly'' since news of his daughter's nine-month relationship with Walcott came to light.

The couple met at a shopping centre in Southampton where Melanie was working.

Since then Walcott has transferred to Arsenal from South-ampton in a deal that could be worth up to £12m.

Speaking after the election, Cllr Slade praised Theo as a "lovely lad."

"He's intelligent and what we want from him is to score goals for England and I hope everyone keeps off his back."

John hoped he would be able to go out and support England.