Soap star actress Tracy Brabin is frontrunner to win murdered MP Jo Cox’s seat
The actress was named alongside Jane Thomas, an environmental campaigner, as Labour's other parliamentary hopeful for Batley
FORMER Corrie, Eastenders and Emmerdale star Tracy Brabin has been shortlisted to replace murdered Labour MP Jo Cox after the party unveiled its final shortlist.
The 55-year-old actress was named alongside Jane Thomas, an environmental campaigner as Labour's other parliamentary hopeful for Bately and Spen by-election on October 20.
The TV soap star was a close pal of Mrs Cox, who was shot and stabbed to death in her West Yorkshire constituency on June 16.
She campaigned regularly alongside the mum-of-two before her death calling her a “true inspiration and an extraordinary woman”.
The West Yorkshire seat has been vacant since the death of Mrs Cox.
Labour Party members in the constituency will choose their preferred candidate on Friday.
Tracy is widely tipped to get the nod from the local Labour party to fight for the seat which Mrs Cox won in 2015 with a 6,057 majority.
A source told The Sun: “Tracy worked very closely with Jo on a number of local issues and is keen to carry on her work.
“She’s well known locally, she grew up around here and is seen as the best candidate by the local Labour party.
“There will obviously be a process to nominate her, but it’s pretty much nailed on.”
Tracy played Tricia Armstrong in Coronation Street in the 1990s before appearing as Roxy Drake in EastEnders.
The actress, who was born in Batley, also played vicar Ashley's love interest Carole in Emmerdale.
Tracy has also starred in A Bit of a Do, Casualty, The Bill and Midsomer Murders.
She has also written for Shameless, Heartbeat, Family Affairs, Crossroads and Hollyoaks.
The Conservatives, Ukip, and the Liberal Democrats have said they will not field a candidate in the byelection as a mark of respect for Mrs Cox.
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Thomas Mair, 53, is accused of shooting and stabbing Mrs Cox, 41, outside her constituency surgery in Birstall, near Leeds.
He is charged with murder, grievous bodily harm, possession of a firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence and possession of an offensive weapon.
Prosecutor Tom Little said during a hearing at the Old Bailey on Monday that the main issue in the trial will be "factual".
"The prosecution understand that the issues will be factual, or appear to be at this stage," he added.
Cairns Nelson, defending, confirmed that the defendant has been assessed by doctors and that medical evidence will not form part of the defence.
Mair was due to appear via video link from top security Belmarsh jail, but his barrister gave permission for the brief preliminary hearing to be held in his absence because there was a technical problem.
Mair, from Birstall, is being held in custody. His case is being handled under the "terrorism protocol" as part of a terror list before Mr Justice Saunders.
He is due to appear at the Old Bailey on October 4 for a plea hearing and will stand trial in November.
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