Former Hellraiser outlines his manifesto to become a Green Party councillor

By Harrison Galliven, Local Democracy Reporter

An actor who starred in the 1980s cult horror series Hellraiser has been chosen as the Green Party candidate in a Croydon by-election.

Nicholas Vince, most famous for his roles in Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser II, will contest the upcoming Woodside by-election on May 2.

The by-election was triggered by Labour councillor Mike Bonello’s resignation in January. Mr Bonello, first elected in 2012, cited the pressures of his job as a social worker as the reason for his resignation.

The subsequent by-election will take place on the same day as the London Mayoral and London Assembly elections.

The Woodside ward is considered a Labour stronghold with its two other currently serving councillors being from the party.

Mr Vince is the latest candidate chosen for the upcoming election, with all the other main parties having already announced their candidates.

Labour have put forward Jess Rich. In a statement, Croydon Labour said: “Jess will be a hardworking and strong voice for Woodside, working alongside current councillors Amy Foster and Brigitte Graham.”

Croydon Conservatives have chosen engineer Titlope Adeoye as their candidate, while the Lib Dems have selected Jahir Hussain, a religious charity worker.

Mr Vince, who has lived in Woodside with his partner for the past 17 years, was previously secretary and data management lead at the Sutton and Croydon Green Party. Outside of politics, he has worked as an actor, author and film maker.

As an actor, he is best known for his role as the Chatterer Cenobite in Clive Barker’s Hellraiser films. He has also written numerous short stories and is planning his first novel.

Mr Vince said: “Sometimes it feels overwhelming when I look at politicians who ignore those who they’re supposed to support, who demonise minorities, and who simply ignore the dramatic changes in our environment.

“Under the two parties who have run the council, we’ve seen disappearing bus stops, major failings in financial management at Croydon Town Hall, squandered opportunities to support local arts groups during the Year of Culture and all we hear is, it’s the other one’s fault.

Residents in the Park Hill and Whitgift ward will also go to the polls on May 2, after one of its Conservative councillors resigned at the end of last month. Jade Appleton, also elected in 2021, resigned due to a ‘change in work commitments’ saying she could no longer fulfil her duties as a councillor.

Pictured top: Nicholas Vince (Picture: Green Party)