Count Binface and three Monster Raving Loonies are facing Nigel Farage in today’s Clacton by-election after major political parties boycotted the poll.
A record 34 candidates are running in the vote on August 13, including 20 independents and a number of joke contenders.
But other than Reform, the Social Democratic Party and Rejoin EU there are no other established political parties taking part in the poll.
Reform UK leader Mr Farage has been accused of using the vote as a “distraction” amid mounting questions surrounding his personal finances.
He was being investigated by the Commons standards watchdog over an undeclared £5 million gift from Thailand-based crypto-billionaire Christopher Harborne, and is facing further scrutiny over funding provided by convicted fraudster George Cottrell.
Mr Farage said he would again stand for the Essex seat in what he billed as a "people versus the establishment" by-election.
The vote sees the highest number of candidates to stand in a by-election in modern times.
The Labour Party, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, Greens and Restore Britain are not standing.
Some minor parties, as well as a number of independent candidates - including Count Binface - are Mr Farage’s challengers.
So who is actually standing? Here are the candidates taking on Mr Farage.
Count Binface
Satirical candidate Count Binface will appear on the ballot - and has had his odds slashed by bookmakers in recent days.
The creation of comedian Jon Harvey, Count Binface stood in the London mayoral elections in 2021 and 2024.
He also stood twice against Boris Johnson, once against Rishi Sunak, and stood in the Makerfield by-election in June.
Previously known as Lord Buckethead, the Count said: “Nigel Farage says he wants The People versus the Establishment. So be it. Leave him to me.”
Former PM Sir Keir Starmer is among those who have appeared to give their backing to the independent candidate.
Asked during his final Prime Minister’s Questions whether Mr Farage and Count Binface should take part in a televised debate, he responded: "My advice to everyone is put your vote in the bin."
Laurence Fox
The former actor and leader of the Reclaim Party is standing.
“We’re coming because we respect the voters of Clacton and also to elevate the Fight on the Right,” he wrote on social media.
Mr Fox also criticised the lack of candidates from mainstream parties in the by-election.
According to the party website, Reclaim exists to challenge “woke orthodoxy” and promote “freedom of speech”, which it sees as being “under grave peril”.
John Stevens, Rejoin EU
John Stevens, the deputy leader of the Rejoin EU Party, is standing.
He is a former Conservative MEP.
Monster Raving Loony Party
Not one but three Monster Raving Loony Party members are standing in the poll.
Leader Howling Laud Hope is a candidate, alongside Nick the Incredible Flying Brick and Baron Von Thunderclap.
It is Hope’s 38th election. The satirical group, which was formed in 1982, has run on a manifesto comprising of pledges such as allowing every UK voter to be prime minister for “15 minutes in their lifetime”.
William Clouston, Social Democratic Party
The Social Democratic Party’s William Clouston is one of the candidates standing in Clacton from an established political party.
Adham Alkhatip, Forward Party
Forward Party leader Adham Alkhatip announced his candidacy on TikTok, saying he will run on an “anti-corruption, pro-worker” platform.
Kai Stephens, British Democrats
Kai Stephens is running for the British Democrats, a party formed as a splinter of the far-right British National Party in 2011 and officially launched in 2013.
Rees Cowne
Rees Cowne is an independent candidate.
Abi Hookway
Abi Hookway is an independent candidate.
Amy Morris
Amy Morris is an independent candidate.
Derrick Norbert Morris, Independent Network
Derrick Norbert Morris is standing for Independent Network.
Ketankumar Pipaliya, UK Voice
Ketankumar Pipaliya is standing for UK Voice.
Daniel Pocock
Daniel Pocock is an independent candidate.
Joseph 77
Joseph 77 is an independent candidate.
Tony Cane
Tony Cane is an independent candidate.
Woke Trump Carrzee
Woke Trump Carrzee is an independent candidate.
Glenn Charles Cummings
Glenn Charles Cummings is an independent candidate.
Martin Davies, Freedom Alliance
Martin Davies is standing for Freedom Alliance - Real People, Real Alternative.
Andy Erlam
Andy Erlam is an independent candidate. He is best known for leading the successful 2015 High Court legal challenge that ousted Tower Hamlets Mayor Lutfur Rahman from office over allegations of electoral fraud.
Attieh Fard
Attieh Fard is an independent candidate.
Tony Francis
Tony Francis is an independent candidate.
Robin Green
Robin Green is an independent candidate.
Stephen Richard Ingram
Stephen Richard Ingram is an independent candidate.
Michael Noel O'Keeffe
Michael Noel O'Keeffe is an independent candidate.
Martyn O'Brien
Martyn O'Brien is an independent candidate.
Nick Pelas
Nick Pelas is an independent candidate.
James Ransley, Consensus Party
James Ransley is the Consensus Party candidate
Gerry Smith
Gerry Smith is an independent candidate.
Pamela Walford
Pamela Walford is an independent candidate.
Marcus White, Everyone is God
Marcus White is standing for the Everyone is God party.
Marc Wilkinson
Marc Wilkinson is an independent candidate.
