Python-Mysql REGEXP with variable

Question

I can do a regular variable substitution in mysql/python using:

    cursor.execute("SELECT DATE_FORMAT(`item_start`,'%%Y-%%m') AS ym,
                           count(*) as num
                      from t_calendar_data
                      where Concat(item_subject, ' ', item_text_body) like %s
                      group by ym",
             ("%{}%".format(i),))

but I'm not sure how to use REGEXP with:

    [[:<:]]VARIABLE[[:>:]]

I've tried various forms of:

    cursor.execute("SELECT DATE_FORMAT(`item_start`,'%%Y-%%m') AS ym, 
    count(*) as num from t_calendar_data where Concat(item_subject, ' ', 
    item_text_body) REGEXP %s group by ym", ("[[:<:]]%{}%
    [[:>:]]".format(i),))

with no success. How do I wrap the regex (assuming I'm putting REGEXP in the correct spot)?

Answer 1

Wiktor's response worked perfect. I had to remove my extra %.