So, for Boris, it was all for nothing.
Having sacrificed the UK’s place in the EU on the altar of his political ambitions, the great pretender has left the stage.
In typically stammering, “aw shucks” style, with a cheeky half-smirk and nod towards “my friends” in the press pack, his lifelong dream was abandoned in the final moments before the curtain was raised on what will be a brutal leadership contest.
Johnson was never one to enter a fight he is unlikely to win.
That the Leave leader’s ultimate victory would be far from straightforward was obvious the day after the referendum as he faced a backlash from within his own party.
The unexpected entry into the leadership race of Michael Gove — such a close ally this time last week — grounded him, triggering the inevitable decision to quit.
Johnson’s public persona has been built on playing the fool, projecting the “good old Boris” bumbling everyman.
It’s roots can be traced to appearances on Have I Got News For You, where he would happily be torn to shreds by sharper wits than his, as long as the audience were left to remember his floppy hair and unthreatening good grace.
There may be a sharp political brain behind the front but when it came to the EU referendum, he had no plan beyond beating old friend, David Cameron.
He treated this game like everything else — a jolly wheeze, like getting stuck on a zip wire waving union flags or rugby tackling his way through a charity football match — and blundered through with a slim grasp of facts, knowing someone else would clear up after him.
The day after the vote, he resembled a naughty schoolboy, chastised for high-jinks gone wrong. Then he went to play cricket.
His is not a character to take into tough EU negotiations with businesses, jobs and the UK economy on the line.
Neither Gove or Theresa May will be clamouring for his backing in their bids for Number 10. Brand Boris is toxic, for the time being.
Like the legendary days in the Bullingdon Club with his pals, he has effectively smashed up the joint and left without paying the bill.
But do not count out a return at some point in the future. It is not beyond him to return after the hard work is done.
We have not seen the last of Boris Johnson.
