A GOGGLEBOX star is standing as Ukip’s next candidate in Sussex.

Brighton dad Andrew Michael, 55, who features in the Channel 4 show about people watching television, is running for MP in Hastings and Rye.

He replaces original prospective parliamentary candidate Ralph Atkinson, who has been deselected by the party’s national executive committee.

There was already mystery surrounding the Hastings seat on November 12 when Mr Atkinson could not be contacted by The Argus to comment on his hopes for the constituency he had hoped to lead.

The state-school educated Mr Michael, married for 28 years, is a former hotelier.

A Ukip spokesman said he is "keen to fight for the interests of the people of Hastings and Rye in Parliament, especially in securing regeneration funding for the constituency".

The spokesman added that he is the son of immigrant parents who came to East Sussex from Cyprus in 1951.

He attends the Christian Greek Orthodox church in St Leonards.

In one recent edition of Gogglebox, Mr Michael discussed the alleged racism of Ukip’s Calypso song with his family.

At one point his children joke: “Wouldn’t want anyone thinking Ukip is racist.”

In another episode, Mr Michael’s wife Carolyne says: “I think if you were a donkey and you had the Ukip rosette on, they would vote for you.”

In a press statement, Mr Michael said: "I am delighted to have be chosen to fight for Hastings and Rye on behalf of Ukip, the party that has brought democracy and choice back to British politics.

“Ukip is the people’s party and Gogglebox is the people’s programme.”