Dr David Bull has been unveiled as the new chairman of Reform UK after Zia Yusuf sensationally quit the role last week.
The former doctor, and former deputy chair of the party, is a popular figure among members and first joined Nigel Farage’s team when he became an MEP for the Brexit Party in 2019.
After the furore surrounding Mr Yusuf’s sudden departure as chairman of Reform – and subsequent return days later to run the party’s Donald Trump-inspired DOGE cost-slashing unit – Mr Farage needed a replacement to run the party who could act as an internal diplomat.
He will also need to persuade potential donors to part with their money, with Reform lagging behind the Tories, Labour and the Lib Dems in attracting financial support. This was another problem identified with the chairmanship of Mr Yusuf by his critics.
Dr Bull fits the role as the former co-deputy leader has spent a lot of time supporting members and helping the party get up on its feet.
But the NHS doctor-turned-TV presenter also has a colourful career, not least as the presenter of the paranormal TV show Most Haunted Live!
The 56-year-old was born in London but grew up in rural Suffolk from the age of four before studying medicine at Imperial College.
He studied at St Mary’s Hospital Medical School at Imperial College London, graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine degree, a Bachelor of Surgery degree (MBBS) and a Bachelor of Science honours degree (BSc) in 1993.
He gave up his medical career in 2009 as his television interests grew, although his licence was temporarily restored to allow him to help out in the Covid crisis in 2020.
His career as a broadcaster began on Sky’s Travel Show, and he later went on to present Newsround and a string of shows for the CBBC children’s channel.
Using his medical experience, he also presented shows offering advice, such as Call the Doctor.
Dr Bull’s interest in politics came quite early, running unsuccessfully as a candidate for the Conservative Party in Brighton Pavilion in 2010.
But after the EU referendum in 2016, he joined Mr Farage’s Brexit Party in 2019 and become an MEP for the North West of England.
He has run unsuccessfully a number of times since as a candidate for the London Assembly and Suffolk West in 2024.
Currently, he is a presenter on TalkTV and has remained active in Reform as deputy chairman.