Former DIY SOS star Sian Astley, 55, has been confirmed as the Reform UK candidate for Greater Manchester mayor, aiming to succeed Labour's Andy Burnham. Burnham recently returned to the House of Commons after being elected MP for Makerfield in the by-elections.
Astley's Background
Astley is best known for her role on the popular BBC makeover show DIY SOS. She has also appeared on Getting the Builders In and worked as a project manager on the first two series of BBC Two's Your Home Made Perfect. In 2012, she hosted her own Channel 5 show called Half Built Home.
She lives in Fallowfield, where she runs a design and property business. Astley currently leads the Reform UK group on Manchester City Council, having been elected as a councillor for Baguley in Wythenshawe on May 1.
Electoral Success
Astley won her council seat with a healthy 423-vote majority over Labour’s Paul Andrews, flipping a seat that had been held by Labour for 50 years.
Speaking of her nomination, she said: "I am delighted to be chosen as Reform UK’s candidate for Mayor Greater Manchester - I am determined to improve communities and the lives of working people. Over the years, we have all seen our towns and areas across Greater Manchester decline, with high streets left unattended, unfunded and unloved. They need to be placed front and centre again. Politics needs real people with real-life experience. People like me."
Mayoral Race
Whoever wins will become only the second mayor of the area after Burnham won the first mayoral election in 2017 and secured two further terms in office. People living in all 10 boroughs of Greater Manchester will go to the polls on July 30 to elect their successor.
Other Candidates
To date, alongside Astley, five other candidates have been announced: Geraldine Coggins for the Green Party, Phil Eckersley for the Conservatives, Richard Kilpatrick for the Liberal Democrats, Marlon West for Restore Britain, and Bev Craig for Labour. Craig is currently the leader of Manchester City Council and the councillor for Burnage.
