Eddie Izzard made a splash in Basildon town centre today when he hit the campaign trail wearing the finest clothes known to woman.

Mr Izzard was in town to support parliamentary candidate Labour Mike le Surf, who is fighting for the South Basildon and East Thurrock MP seat.

Mr Izzard, famed for his surrealist comic stand-up and acting in various movies said: "It's wonderful to be in Basildon today. I think it's important In Essex, or anywhere you are, to get involved, which is why I'm supporting my friend Mike." 

Mr Izzard added, addressing a large crowd that had gathered to see him: "You are the people that change things!"

He also confirmed he would not be running for London Mayor till 2020 due to the need to tie up and 'consolidate' his show business career.

He said: "It took me a long time to build up my career at the start and I'm not quite ready to say goodbye to it before moving into politics full-time."

Mr Izzard is due to star in a new HBO drama, 'The Devil You Know', which is coming from the same people who produced Game of Thrones and Orange is the New Black.

Basildon resident Sue Marriott, 49, of who popped out of work when she heard Eddie was in town, said: "He looks fantastic! He's lost so much weight. Now he's got better legs than me!"

Asked why he was cross-dressing for the campaign trail, Eddie said: "I am transgender! It is my genetic right as a human being to dress like a woman and if anyone has a problem with it, they can take it up with the United Nations Court of Human Rights."

Eddie and Sue swapped dieting tips, with Eddie advising her to 'dump the sugar' if she wanted to lose weight.