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Jubilant Jeremy Corbyn is the accidental hero despite Labour's third consecutive general election defeat.

Plaudits for boosting Labour seats and votes to deny sly Theresa May her prized Tory majority are a giant feather in his cap after a turbulent 21 months.

One of the leader's closest advisers told me the plan was for the veteran to stand aside for a more popular figure before a scheduled 2020 contest.

"Nobody expected Jeremy to lead Labour into an election," admitted the left-wing aide, who was braced on Thursday for May to win clearly.

At 68, Corbyn isn't expected to take his party into a second election if the Parliament goes the full five-year term.

But with the Tory leader tottering and her deal with grasping Orangemen as stable as a two-legged table , a PM Corbyn could yet find himself in No10.

(Image: Getty)

It's a political earthquake that Labour is in sniffing distance of power after the Tories self-combusted, Corbyn showing that left-wing policies are popular.

He came alive in the campaign , Corbyn Uncut exciting crowds and earning admiration for his humanity and humour. He was relaxed in TV interviews and rousing at rallies.

The Corbyn on show the past six weeks was radically different to the often stumbling, awkward, ineffective figure in Parliament.

Labour MPs who quit his team grumble the party might've won had he performed better earlier or agreed to be replaced by a credible alternative.

His office insists only the Islington idealist could excite swarms of young voters and that MPs should have supported fully the elected leader.

(Image: REUTERS)

More secure than ever, Corbyn's saying let bygones be bygones while taking quiet satisfaction in critics returning to share in the success.

Corbyn won despite losing the election while May lost and continues as PM. When he bought an olive tree for his garden, enemies mumbled only he could turn a peace symbol into a weapon.

The accidental hero's enjoying the last laugh after inflicting a mortal political wound on Theresa Mayhem.