A 1980s television star has been chosen by voters in Clacton as the Conservative candidate for next month’s by-election.

Giles Watling, who played the vicar Oswald in Bread, a grimy sitcom charting life in Liverpool under Margaret Thatcher, was elected last night in an open primary by 240 voters.

The TV programme followed the unemployed Boswell family, who scraped a living through benefit fraud and the sale of stolen goods.

An audience of around 21 million people tuned in to watch the sitcom in December 1988 when Mr Watling’s character married Aveline Boswell, an aspiring model from a staunch Catholic family who lived off the state.

Mr Watling also appeared as Mr Radcliffe in Grange Hill, Lt Marriott in Upstairs Downstairs and one of the British airmen in ‘Allo ‘Allo. The 61-year-old regularly appears in the West End and regional theatres.

The exact result last night was not announced.

Anyone registered in the coast constituency – not just Tory party members – were allowed to vote as Mr Watling and Sue Lissimore battled it out to be selected.

The primary took place at Clacton Town Hall and saw the two candidates introduce themselves and answer questions from those who registered to vote in the selection process. Voters then cast their ballot.

LBC radio presenter Nick Ferrari acted as an independent moderator for the process.

After the vote, the decision was formally ratified by Clacton Constituency Conservative Association members.

The use of an open primary was confirmed by the party last week, it what was seen as a response to the shock defection of sitting MP Douglas Carswell to UKIP a fortnight ago.

Mr Carswell was selected as the candidate in the resulting by-election for his new party despite Roger Lord already being chosen. Mr Lord has since quit UKIP.

Mr Watling will now go on to stand for the Conservative Party in the Parliamentary by-election on October 9.

He said: “It is an enormous honour and a privilege to be selected. This is a wonderful night for me.

“We have been doing a lot of work here locally.

“I holidayed here, my kids went to school here and I live here. I know the problems, the strengths and weaknesses.

“I want to play into the strengths and deal with the weaknesses.

“We have done well in Government. We have the fastest growing economy in the G7, we are doing well with immigration, we are beginning to sort out our borders though we have more work to do.

“Clacton is special, a jewel in the crown of Essex, and i am honoured to be representing it.”

Speaking about Mr Carswell he added: “I am very sad he did what he did, surprised and disappointed.

“Is he a traitor? Only he can answer that. It is his heart he has to sleep with.”

Mrs Lissimore said: “We needed the best candidate and we have the best candidate. He will be excellent and do an excellent job.

“We will be behind him now, delivering leaflets, knocking on doors. Four weeks is not long.

“I enjoyed it up there. The audience asked some really interesting questions.

“I would like to see more open primaries. Everyone should have the chance to say who would make the best MP for them.”

Declared candidates so far for the Clacton by-election:

• Douglas Carswell (UKIP)

• Andy Graham (Liberal Democrats)

• Alan Howlin “Laud” Hope (Monster Raving Loony Party)

• Chris Southall (Green)

• Tim Young (Labour)

• Giles Watling (Conservative)