Left-wing actor Ricky Tomlinson this afternoon backed Sir Keir Starmer’s leadership bid.
The Royle Family star, who was jailed for his part in a Shrewsbury building workers’ strike in the 1970s, praised lawyer Sir Keir for backing the builders’ fight for justice.
“All the contestants are worthy people - but I’ve got to throw my weight behind Keir Starmer - and I’m going to ask you to do the same,” he said.
The Labour leadership race has been gathering pace this week, with the deadline passing for people to register with the party to vote for Jeremy Corbyn's replacement.
Polling from earlier this week appeared to show shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-Bailey as the front runner in the race, pipping Sir Keir, the shadow Brexit Secretary.
But the Surrey-born former director of public prosecutions is still the favourite among bookmakers to take the helm from Jeremy Corbyn in the Spring.
Voting will open to members of the party on February 21 and will close on April 2, with the new leader declared on April 4.
Lisa Nandy, Jess Phillips and shadow Home Secretary Emily Thornberry are also looking to become leader of the party.
But all five candidates still need to whip up the support of Constituency Labour Parties or unions and associated organisations like the Fabian Society to make it onto the February ballot.
