Romania's President Traian Basescu had to go to hospital after he rammed a cotton bud in his ear the wrong way / AP Source: AP

News that President Traian Basescu had to see an ear, nose and throat specialist at the Military Hospital quickly became the top news story of the day yesterday.

Television crews rushed to the hospital and speculation ran rampant, with political rival Claudiu Saftoiu hinting that the 58-year-old president's health maybe be suffering due to overwork.

Hours later, Mr Basescu finally disclosed the purpose of his visit - in another unscheduled appearance, this time on national television.

After his morning swim, he had accidentally rammed "a cotton bud in my ear the wrong way" while speaking on the phone to a minister, the president told the nation.