Tim Wilson (British politician)

Tim Wilson (born 12 May 1961) is an English animator and former politician. In 2015, he was selected as South Northamptonshire's candidate for the UK Independence Party, but stood down due to disagreeing with racist comments made by party members.[1] In 2019, he finished in third place in the second series of the Channel 4 series The Circle.

Tim Wilson
Wilson in 2015
Born (1961-05-12) 12 May 1961
Derby, England
Education
Occupation
  • Animator
  • professor
  • former politician
Years active2015–present
Home townRugby, England

Background

Wilson attended Ratcliffe College and Oxford University where he studied Theology in St Benet's Hall under Metropolitan Bishop Kallistos Ware and specialised in inter-faith dialogue, giving lectures in Birmingham. He was a theatre-designer, providing an "American Gothic" design for the first London revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins" directed by Sam Buntrock[2] He has travelled in Albania, Turkey and Greece drawing the views that Edward Lear first drew in 1848. His work is recorded in the Albanian Encyclopedia of Art.[3] In 2016, he became a professor in the Moscow State Pedagogical University where he had previously lectured.[4]

Politics

Wilson was selected as UKIP's candidate for South Northamptonshire at the 2015 general election. However, he resigned from UKIP on 24 March[5] in support of Humza Yousaf who said he was upset when David Coburn the only UKIP MEP in Scotland allegedly referred to Yousaf as the terrorist Abu Hamza.[6][7] In his resignation letter, Tim Wilson made it clear that he believed Nigel Farage, the leader of UKIP had shown poor judgement in dismissing Coburn's alleged remarks as a "a joke in very poor taste. He would not be taking any action against him".[8] Wilson later made the point that a joke should be funny and that linking Humza Yousaf to convicted terrorist Abu Hamza was not funny. Wilson is reported saying, "If Mr Coburn wants to make bad jokes about religion, then he is welcome to quit and join Monty Python.".[9] "You can’t toss this thing off as a joke with a pint of beer. It's unacceptable." [10] As an animator, Wilson had made films for the UKIP campaign,[11] UKIP's apparent response has been to accuse Wilson of not being interested in local affairs, a claim he denies in the Daventry Express [12] and by standing for election as a local Councillor.

While taking part in The Circle, Wilson claimed he actually voted to Remain and wished to "expose UKIP from the inside".[13]

Television

In September 2019, Wilson began appearing as a contestant in the second series of the Channel 4 reality series The Circle.[1] He was a finalist, placing joint 3rd in the series. He also won the shows "Viewers' Champion" title for being the most popular finalist by viewer's vote, winning a £30,000 prize.

Awards

In 2012, Wilson won Best Animation at the Reed.co.uk Short Film Competition for "How to be Boss".[14]

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References
  1. Selby, Jenn (27 September 2019). "Who is Tim from The Circle? The professor who quit Ukip". i. Retrieved 29 September 2019.
  2. "A shot in the dark". 12 July 1997. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  3. "Zontul Films - about". zontulfilms.com. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  4. "Ученому из Оксфорда Тимоти Эрику Уилсону присвоено звание Почетного профессора МПГУ" Check |url= value (help).
  5. "Candidate quits over UKIP MEP remark". 24 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2018 – via www.bbc.com.
  6. "MEP apology over Abu Hamza comment". 18 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2018 – via www.bbc.com.
  7. "Gay UKIP candidate quits in protest after David Coburn's 'terrorist' joke". Pink News. 27 March 2015. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  8. "EXCLUSIVE: More UKIP Candidates Under Pressure to Stand Down". www.theblueguerilla.co.uk. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  9. "UKIP candidate stands down in protest at racist remarks". www.daventryexpress.co.uk.
  10. Blanchard, Jack (24 March 2015). "UKIP loses fourth candidate as Nigel Farage is accused of ignoring racism". Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  11. "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  12. "Call to bring 'dignity back to Daventry'". Retrieved 28 March 2018.
  13. "The Circle Contestant Tim Wilson's 'Spat' With Nigel Farage (And History With UKIP) Explained". HuffPost UK. 26 September 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
  14. "Reed.co.uk Short Film Competition 2012 - HeyUGuys". www.heyuguys.com. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
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