Barack Obama appears on daytime talk show

Barack Obama appears on daytime talk show The View, where he reflected on challenges he has faced.

The show, in which US president Obama was asked about the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and the economy, was filmed on Wednesday and will air on Thursday.

It was the first appearance by a sitting US president on a daytime TV chat show.

The View co-host Barbara Walters returned to the show for the first time since her open heart surgery in May.

Mr Obama said jokingly that “Look, I was trying to find a show that Michelle Obama actually watched, and so I thought this is it, right here.”

The president also praised his daughters Malia, 12, and Sasha, 9, saying they were “full of ideas, and opinions and observations – it’s just a great age”.