Nigel Farage will face a record 33 rival candidates at the Clacton by-election he triggered in protest against the scrutiny over his finances and backers.The Reform party leader will no longer only be running against comic candidate Count Binface, despite the main Westminster parties boycotting the by-election and dismissing it as a stunt.Among the rivals are candidates from the Monster Raving Loony Party and an array of independents, but one of his highest-profile opponents is actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox.Mr Fox, who is best known for his role in detective-drama Lewis, is the controversial founder and leader of the Reclaim Party.The by-election, which will be held on August 13, was caused by Mr Farage in response to what he described as an 'establishment hit job' from the media.Scrutiny over Mr Farage's finances began after he did not declare a £5million personal gift he received from Reform UK donor, Christopher Harborne in 2024.He has denied any wrongdoing and refused to refer himself to the Parliamentary standards watchdog over the donation from the Thailand-based cryptocurrency-billionaire.The party leader's undeclared support from convicted criminal George Cottrell, known as Posh George, brought Farage further criticism, but he dismissed the allegations. Reform Party leader, Nigel Farage will face a record 33 rival candidates at the Clacton by-election on August 13 Mr Farage will not just battling against comic candidate Count Binface at the Clacton by-election Among the highest-profile candidates is actor-turned-politician Laurence Fox, who leads the Reclaim PartyMr Cottrell is reported to have recruited and paid three staff members to work for Farage's social media team before the general election in 2024.He also continued to allow him to use a five-storey Georgian property he rented near Buckingham Palace.In the wake of the controversy, Mr Farage decided to give up his seat and fight a by-election contest which he wanted to be a 'people versus the establishment' showdown.But after the main political parties refused to put any candidates forward Mr Farage has been left to battle Count Binface and independents.Tendring District Council said a total of 34 candidates are standing in the by-election, which is believed to be a record for a parliamentary contest.The council said the previous record is understood to have been 26 candidates, set at the Haltemprice and Howden by-election in July 2008.Tory Sir David Davis triggered the by-election in his own seat and was similarly ignored by the main Westminster parties. Clacton by-election candidates – Joseph 77 (Independent)– Adham Alkhatip (The Forward Party)– Count Binface (Count Binface Party)– Nick The Incredible Flying Brick (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)– Tony Cane (Independent)– Woke Trump Carrzee (Independent)– William Stuart James Clouston (Social Democratic Party).– Rees Cowne (Independent)– Glenn Charles Cummings (Independent)– Martin Davies (Freedom Alliance – Real People, Real Alternative!)– Andy Erlam (Independent)– Nigel Farage (Reform UK)– Attieh Fard (Independent)– Laurence Fox (The Reclaim Party)– Tony Francis (Independent)– Robin Green (Independent)– Abi Hookway (Independent)– Howling Laud Hope (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)– Stephen Richard Ingram (Independent)– Amy Morris (Independent)– Derrick Norbert Morris (Independent)– Michael Noel O’Keeffe (Independent)– Martyn OBrien (Independent)– Nick Pelas (Independent)– Ketankumar Pipaliya (UK VOICE safer and stronger UK)– Daniel Pocock (Independent)– James Ransley (Consensus Party Candidate)– Gerry Smith (Independent)– Kai Stephens (British Democrats)– John Stevens (Rejoin EU)– Baron Von Thunderclap (The Official Monster Raving Loony Party)– Pamela Walford (Independent)– Marcus White (Everyone is God Party)– Marc Wilkinson (Independent)