Reform UK has announced it will field the leader of its group on Manchester City Council as its candidate to be the region’s mayor.
Sian Astley, who represents the Baguley ward on the council, featured on One’s DIY SOS and the Two series Your Home Made Perfect before going into politics.
She said she had been a Labour voter in the past, adding that “the vice-like grip that Labour has held over Manchester has been evident for decades”.
The by-election was called after Andy Burnham, the previous Greater Manchester mayor, was elected as MP for Makerfield on 19 June.
A full list of the announced candidates standing in the 30 July by-election can be found here.