Mr Kelly sought the party’s nomination at the same time as eventual candidate Heather Humphreys.

The former Going For Gold and Game For A Laugh host died ‘peacefully’ on Tuesday ‘after a period of ill health’, his family said.

Kelly was also known for covering the Troubles in Belfast.

John Kelly’s father, Private Patrick Kelly, was killed while taking part in the rescue of a supermarket executive kidnapped by the Provisional IRA.

Schofield resigned from ITV and was dropped by his talent agency after admitting to an ‘unwise but not illegal’ relationship.

The High Court judge in Belfast this week threw out a claim brought by the party’s north Belfast MLA Gerry Kelly against a journalist.