Ukip leader Paul Nuttall will fight the crunch Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election, it has been announced.
The by-election was triggered when Labour MP Tristram Hunt sensationally announced he was quitting politics to become director of London’s world famous V&A museum.
Mr Nuttall was confirmed as the candidate after the other 10 people on the shortlist withdrew from the contest to make way for their leader.
His decision to stand indicates Ukip's belief that it has a strong chance of taking the former Labour stronghold on February 23.
The by-election could be a major test of his plan to replace Labour as the party of the working class in the Midlands and the North of England.
Mr Hunt had a majority of just 5,179 over Ukip which recorded a 22.7 per cent vote share in 2015 in a turnout of less than 50 per cent. The Conservatives were 33 votes behind Ukip, making it a three-way marginal where anything could happen.
Stoke-on-Trent recorded one of the highest votes for leaving the European Union in last year’s referendum.