Tory candidate: Giles Watling, who has stared in Bread, Upstairs Downstairs and 'Allo 'Allo!
Alexandra Rucki11 September 2014
A former actor has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for the Clacton by-election, the party has announced.
Giles Watling, who stared in the 1980s sitcom Bread and is now a local councillor, was chosen at an open primary – where voters in the constituency can vote regardless of their party affiliation.
Mr Watling defeated businesswoman Sue Lissimore at the vote following a hustings at Clacton town hall.
It comes after Tory MP Douglas Carswell announced he was stepping down in order to stand as a Ukip candidate.
If he is successful the politician will become the first Ukip MP in to be elected to Parliament.
The by-election takes place on October 9.
