UK Election news: Celebrities including Blur’s Dave Rowntree and Gogglebox star who could be MPs

There are plenty of politically activated celebrities around the UK but there are also famous faces who are so impassioned when it comes to their interest in politics that it has compelled them to want to become MPS in the next election. First up is Blur’s Dave Rowntree who is the Labour candidate for the Conservative held Mid Sussex seat, the constituency covers the areas of Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath and the Mid Sussex villages.

Dave Rowntree announced that he had been selected as the labour candidate for Mid Sussex on his Instagram page back in March and wrote: “I’m absolutely thrilled to have been selected as the @uklabour candidate for Mid Sussex! Now the work begins. #labour2024. One fan in response wrote: “I’ll never forget the time you canvassed at my sister’s house and she dragged you round to mine, just so you could sign my blur scrapbook. Good luck Dave,” whilst another said: “You’ll need new VOTE DAVE shirts!!

Although he is better known for being a musician in Blur, Dave Rowntree is not new to the world of politics and back in May 2017 was chosen as a Labour county councillor serving the University ward in Norfolk, but then stood down in 2021.

Dave Rowntree also had an unsuccessful attempt when he stood as Labour’s parliamentary candidate for London and Westminster in 2021. 

Blur’s Dave Rowntree is not the only musician who is hoping to be an MP in the generation election, Tom Gray (who won the Mercury prize with his band Gomez in 1998),  was selected ahead of Eddie Izzard to be Labour’s candidate for Brighton Pavilion. In a post on X, Tom Gray wrote that “This is personal for me. I’m standing to be an MP in the city I love and where I’ve chosen to live for 25 years. I’ve not stood or tried to stand anywhere else. Nor do career & pay really motivate me, and frankly, never have. Making the change we need does.”

Those of you who are fans of Gogglebox and the Tapper family who starred in the show will recognise their son Josh Tapper who is standing against Oliver Dowden Deputy Prime Minister in Hertsmere, Hertfordshire. He said in a statement that "I'm thrilled and honoured to have been selected as Labour's parliamentary candidate for Hertsmere.” He also said: "Thank you so much to local members for your support - I won't let you down. The work to unseat the deputy prime minister starts now!"

Josh Tapper has had a busy few months away from politics too as he got engaged in March 2024. 

It is not only TV stars and musicians who are interested in becoming an MP at the next election but Olympic champions, and more specifically rowing champions. James Cracknell has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for Colchester 

James Cracknell, who won gold in the coxless fours at the Olympics in 2000 and 2004, suffered a serious brain injury when he was knocked off his bike in 2010. This resulted in him having epilepsy, but returned to rowing in 2019, this was the same year that he appeared on Strictly Come Dancing. 

British television writer Alison Hume, who created the CBBC series The Sparticle Mystery and the BBC drama Rocket Man, starring Robson Green, back in 2005, is standing to be the next Labour & Co-operative Party MP for Scarborough and Withby. 

One sportsman who was intending to be a MP albeit briefly was former England cricketer Monty Panesar. He revealed in April that he was standing as a candidate for George Galloway’s Workers Party of Britain in Ealing Southall, a west London constituency. 

However it only took Monty eight days to withdraw his application and said: "I wish The Workers Party all the best but look forward to taking some time to mature and find my political feet so I am well prepared to deliver my very best when I next run up to the political wicket."

Celebrities in the past who have become MPs and those who have tried 

Former actress Glenda Jackson became a Labour MP back in 1992 whilst TV personality Gyles Brandreth became an MP for the Conservatives in the same year. Former Olympic gold medallist Sebastian Coe was a Conservative MP from 1992 to 1997 before becoming a peer in 2000. 

It may seem a long time ago but glamour model Katie Price was an Independent candidate in the Manchester seat of Stretford and Urmston in 2001 whilst Esther Rantzen was an Independent candidate in the 2010 general election.