A Conservative election candidate who was compared to Alan Partridge after his campaign video went viral today said: “If I ever leave politics perhaps a career in acting beckons.”
Greg Knight, who is seeking to retain his East Yorkshire seat in Thursday’s General Election, became an unlikely celebrity when his 40-second pitch to voters was met with delight online.
The footage shows him introducing himself before urging people to back Prime Minister Theresa May instead of a “coalition of chaos” led by Labour’s Jeremy Corbyn, and ends with a catchy purpose-written jingle.
Today he told the Standard: “It was done for a bit of fun. To lift the campaign we did a jingle for a bit of fun and people seem to like it.
“The only negative comments I’ve had is from heavy metal fans who say it’s a bit cheesy.
“We’re getting a great reception, particularly as we go by schools where kids have been dancing to it.”
Asked about the comparison to Steve Coogan's awkward TV character Alan Partridge, Mr Knight said: "If I ever leave politics perhaps a career in acting beckons."
As the campaign video comes to an end, it plays an 80s-style pop song featuring the lyrics: “You’ll get accountability with Conservative delivery / Make sure this time you get it right, vote for Greg Kniiiiiiight.”
The film was uploaded to YouTube earlier in the campaign but has only recently gone viral after capturing the imagination of social media users.
Tom Carr, whose response to the clip was typical, wrote: “Greg Knight MP has been watching too much Alan Partridge. I'm legit crying of laughter.”
Another person added: "Alan Partridge has successfully assumed the form of Greg Knight, Conservative candidate for East Yorkshire. #GE2017"
The video has now been viewed almost 200,000 times on YouTube.
