Britain’s ‘pub landlord’ too heavy for election stunt

Comedian Al Murray was forced to cancel a skydive intended to generate publicity for his campaign for Parliament - because he is too heavy. The star is standing against right wing U.K. Independence Party (UKIP) leader Nigel Farage in the seat of South Thanet in his guise as the ‘Pub Landlord’. But as journalists and cameramen gathered to watch the stunt, he learned that he was heavier than the 92kg weight limit. Murray blamed the metric scales used to weigh him, and insisted the aborted jump had proved he was a “political heavyweight”.

It’s a double whammy. Not only am I another tragic victim of this country’s obesity epidemic, but also I have been held back by health and safety gone mad.

Al Murray, MP candidate and comedian

Murray is standing for his newly-formed Free United Kingdom Party, and launched an action plan in January under the guise of his patriotic character. One audience member subjected him to some tough questioning, demanding to know why Murray was making a mockery of the constituency, which is strongly conservative. Farage, the rival and party leader, has expressed his doubts about the legitimacy of Murray’s campaign.

He’s not even standing as himself, he’s standing as his alter ego. It is a bit of a laugh…

Nigel Farage, UKIP leader

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