Josh Tapper, a 26-year-old former star of the TV show Gogglebox, has been announced as the Labour Party’s candidate to contest the Hertsmere constituency against Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden in the forthcoming General Election. Known for his time on Gogglebox up until 2017 before moving on to a role in the Civil Service, Tapper’s selection is part of a broader Labour strategy to field celebrity candidates, a practice highlighted by the choice of Blur drummer Dave Rowntree for another seat.

Despite the significant challenge posed by Dowden’s existing majority of 21,313 votes (later noted as 16,951), Tapper has expressed enthusiasm for his campaign, committing to efforts aimed at ousting the Deputy Prime Minister. Labour’s approach, including hiring a ‘head of celebrity endorsements’, reflects an ambition to leverage the potential influence of high-profile figures to gain electoral support, although this tactic has met with mixed success in the past.

This development occurs against a backdrop where other celebrities, such as comedian Eddie Izzard, have experienced difficulties in securing candidacy for Labour in various constituencies. With the general election on the horizon, Tapper’s candidacy introduces an additional layer of interest in the political landscape, particularly regarding how his public profile might sway the voter dynamics in Hertsmere.