James Cracknell will stand as a Conservative MP at the next general election after being selected as the party’s candidate in Colchester.
But the decision has sparked outrage after previous comments the Olympic rower made about Brexit were unearthed.
Mr Cracknell attacked Brexit in May, claiming the worst elements of the decision to leave the EU were not what the Conservative Party stood for.
He told the Telegraph: “The best thing about Britain is its place in the world and actually its view as a big country looking outward.
“And I thought the worst thing about Brexit was it made us look inward and be a little Britain. And that is not what the Conservative Party stands for. It is not what I stand for.”
Responding, Reform UK leader Richard Tice told Express.co.uk: “Tory HQ selecting Remoaners shows they do not care about Brexit and are happy to betray Brexit. Only Reform UK will do Brexit properly.”
Despite Mr Tice’s warning, Paul Dundas, the Conservative group leader in Colchester, predicted success for the top athlete in the seat.
Mr Dundas congratulated Mr Cracknell and said that he had topped a long list of applicants.
He said: “James was the clear choice of members. I think he will be a fantastic candidate and a great MP for Colchester. He will win because he is a guy who doesn’t do losing.”
The 51-year-old Olympian, who was part of Great Britain’s victorious coxless four teams in 2000 and 2004, will be vying to replace health minister Will Quince, who announced he would stand down in order to spend more time with his family.
Mr Cracknell also appeared on the BBC’s flagship entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing in 2019, but he was the first celebrity to crash out with his partner Luba Mushtuk in the first dance-off of the series.
He has long been linked with the Conservatives, with multiple reports over the years that the sportsman was seeking a Tory seat.
In 2014 he stood to be an MEP for the party in the European elections in south west England.
The Conservatives currently hold a 9,000 vote majority over Labour in the Essex constituency.
