Count Binface gets almost 10,000 votes in Clacton by-election

Count Binface has enjoyed his best-ever election performance after receiving almost 10,000 votes and finishing second to Nigel Farage at the Clacton by-election .

The self-styled intergalactic space warrior said he was "1,000 times more popular" when standing against Farage compared to Andy Burnham, after he picked up 95 votes when challenging the now-prime minister in Makerfield in June.

Count Binface received 9,455 votes compared to Farage's 22,239. His 26.9% share of the vote is thought to be the highest ever for a novelty candidate.

He became the leading rival to Farage after the main UK parties boycotted the by-election triggered by the Reform UK leader, amid questions over his finances .

Farage had branded Count Binface the "candidate of the establishment" after claiming supporters of other parties had canvassed for him.

The contest in the Essex constituency saw a record 34 candidates for a Westminster Parliament election, although Farage did not attend the announcement of the result in person, denying Count Binface and others a chance to line-up alongside him in the Clacton Leisure Centre.

This led Count Binface to declare he was "the winning candidate in the room".

Reform UK said Essex Police had advised Farage not to attend the count "due to a credible threat against him".