Comedian Al Murray was forced to cancel a skydive intended to generate publicity for his campaign for Parliament – because he is too heavy.

The star is standing against UKIP leader Nigel Farage in the seat of South Thanet in his guise as the Pub Landlord.

Murray had hoped to jump out of a plane from 12,000ft (3,658m) after saying he was “shocked” at claims he had been parachuted in to fight the seat, which is held by the Conservatives.

But as journalists and cameramen gathered to watch the stunt at Headcorn Aerodrome near Ashford, he learned that he was heavier than the 14st 7lb (92kg) weight limit.

Murray said he was unsure how much he weighed

Murray blamed the metric scales used to weigh him, and insisted the aborted jump had proved he was a “political heavyweight”.

He said: “Unfortunately today’s stunt – and that was exactly what it was, a stunt to garner publicity it might generate – has had to be cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Play video “The Pub Landlord Heckled In A Pub!”

Video: The Pub Landlord Heckled In A Pub!

“It seems that I am too heavy to jump. It’s a double whammy.

“Not only am I another tragic victim of this country’s obesity epidemic, but also I have been held back by health and safety gone mad.”

Murray said he was unsure how much he weighed.

When asked whether Friday the 13th was the best day to perform such a stunt, he said: “I’m a true British man – I neither cry nor weigh myself on scales.

“Those are my values.”

Murray is standing for his newly-formed Free United Kingdom Party, and launched an action plan in January under the guise of his patriotic character.

Later on Friday he visited the New Inn pub in the town of Sandwich, and said the aborted stunt was due to “Brussels-based discrimination against people of my weight”.

Murray took along the 10 signatories who are backing his bid for Parliament.

Play video “Pub Landlord To Run For Election”

Video: Pub Landlord To Run For Election

He said: “Why a pub for this meeting? Because the pub is the cradle of democracy in a country that is the very mother of Parliaments.”

One audience member subjected him to some tough questioning, demanding to know why Murray was making a mockery of the constituency.

The comedian insisted he wanted to get people to vote, adding: “I want to put Thanet on the map – as the most important constituency in the country”.

When asked about the TV debates, Murray said he would like to take part, telling reporters: “I can stand and take this stuff, can’t I?” 

Mr Farage has expressed his doubts about the legitimacy of Murray’s campaign.

He said: “He’s not even standing as himself, he’s standing as his alter ego.

“It is a bit of a laugh and I have no doubt that in terms of promotion for his tour around the UK he will make a lot of money off the back of it.

“I don’t really think the joke is going to last that long.”