Josh Tapper, a star of the Channel 4 show Gogglebox and great-grandson of the founder of Bloom’s restaurant, has been selected as Labour’s candidate in Hertsmere where he will take on Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden.

He will have to pull off a major political shock to reach Parliament as  the Conservative incumbent enjoys a majority of 16.951.

His family were one of the original participants on Gogglebox, where armchair critics comment on TV programmes, when it began in 2013.

After graduating from Yavneh College, he won an apprenticeship to work in the Cabinet Office during Theresa May’s premiership, went into the Civil Service and later joined the think tank Demos.

On his website, Tapper, who is 26, said, “My great-great grandfather, fleeing persecution in eastern Europe, opened a kosher restaurant in the East-End, passed down through generations. My dad worked there night and day to make sure our family had a roof over our head. It was at the centre of my family life, and grounded me in my local Jewish community.

“I’m from this community - it taught me to work hard, stand up for others, give back and fight for what you believe in. It’s why I joined the Civil Service, volunteer for cancer care charities and food banks, and why I am a trustee for a homelessness charity. And it’s why I campaign for Labour, day in, day out.”

Outlining his priorities, he said, “Our education system is too rigid, focused on exams instead of creativity and skills for life. Too many in society are left too long without adequate mental health support. We need to tackle the cost of living crisis, fix our rundown public services and embrace the opportunities of a green economy.”