Meet Countess Binface: The mother-of-two comedian married to the man behind the 'intergalactic space warrior' by-election candidate taking on Nigel Farage

Published: 00:02, 10 July 2026 | Updated: 00:13, 10 July 2026 Like many modern Westminster wives, she may have to juggle the demands of career and family as well as act as a trusted confidante and potential vote-winner herself. Now Sarah Daykin is set to be thrust into the spotlight as the most unlikely of political wives as her partner prepares to go head-to-head in history's most bizarre by-election showdown.  She is the wife of Count Binface - the trash can-helmeted intergalactic space warrior who has stood as a novelty candidate against Britain's political leaders in a series of elections in recent years.  With no traditional candidates on the ballot, Count Binface is now set to be the only major challenger to Nigel Farage at the upcoming Clacton by-election - raising the prospect he could actually win the farcical two-horse showdown.  And mother-of-two Sarah, 41, will be by his side when the victor is announced after voting is expected to take place next month. While Count Binface claims to be a Recyclon from the planet Sigma IX - as well as a fan of the classic TV show Lovejoy - he is really the alter ego of 46-year-old comedian Jon Harvey.  When he is not standing for high office, Jon is also a writer and producer who has worked on hits like The Thick Of It and Have I Got News For You.  Sarah also has a sense of humour and is in the comedy business.  Sarah Daykin is set to be thrust into the spotlight as the most unlikely of political wives as her partner prepares to go head-to-head in history's most bizarre by-election showdown Mother-of-two Sarah, 41, will be by Count Binface's side when the victor is announced after voting in the Clacton by-election next month She has worked in television, radio and theatre as well as performing live with her sister Lizzie as part of a comedy duo.  Their act, called Toby, was a cult hit at the Edinburgh Fringe and Soho Theatre. She and Lizzie have also become Sunday Times Bestselling Authors after writing the 'Mr Men for Grown-Ups' parody series.  Sarah dubbed herself 'the Countess' when she planted a cheek on her husband's metal head after he stood against Sadiq Khan at the election for London mayor in 2024.  The couple - who have a four-year-old son Rowan and six-month-old daughter Penelope - live in a two-bedroomed 1920s semi-detached house which estate agents describe as 'attractive and beautifully presented'. They paid £340,000 for the property when they moved in February 2021.  Announcing the move on Instagram, Sarah wrote at the time: 'Not even a broken-down car could keep us from getting the keys to our new country home.  'It's taken over £100,000 in rent (each) to get here and yes we couldn't afford anything in London BUT we made it. 'Once allowed, all city dweller friends are welcome… bring wellies.' Binface is 46-year-old comedy writer and producer Jon Harvey, who has worked on award-winning series such as Have I Got News For You and The Thick Of It Harvey's original alter ego was a character called Lord Buckethead. It was in this incarnation (right) that he fought his first election in Theresa May's constituency of Maidenhead in 2017 He appeared on the BBC's Newsnight programme on Wednesday Shortly afterwards, they toasted the arrival of a pet puppy or 'baby Ewok' they called Peggy Woofington.  The family was further expanded when Rowan was born in October 2021 and the couple went on to tie the knot the following September.  Sarah said that despite suffering 'tonsillitis, laryngitis and conjunctivitis' in the week running up to their wedding, courtesy of Rowan's nursery, it 'really was the most wonderful day'.  She added at the time: 'Yes, it had a Beatles theme - yes, it was at our local castle, yes, we raved to buttery biscuit base.  'Our gorgeous guests, plied with French martinis, generously cheered us on throughout the day'.  Sarah later revealed that 'after (mostly) surviving round one she was 'going for round two' - when she became pregnant with Penelope who was born in January.  She said she 'never imagined I'd be having another baby' at 40, later adding: 'Turns out it is possible at the grand age of 41 to start again. 'But check back with me in a few years when I'm running after her as she careers towards the road on a balance bike, and I'll review this sentiment.'  Analysts say Count Binface could pull off the greatest coup in British political history by attracting enough disaffected voters to beat Nigel Farage and take the Clacton seat In May, Jon told how becoming a father again had meant he had not slept in his own bed in more than a year.  He said that due to his snoring and following 'a difficult pregnancy' he had moved out of the marital bedroom 'to give mother and baby the best possible chance for a peaceful night'. Writing of his experiences in the Sunday Times, he said: 'So last April our living room started doubling as my studio flat.  'Every night since then, once Sarah goes up to co-sleep with the baby, and child one is soundly asleep in bedroom two, I brush my teeth in the kitchen and then unfold the rickety blue chair-bed (which a neighbour had slung out on their front drive).  'In the comfort stakes it's on a par with the barracks in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, but it's long enough to fit my body, so compared to our sofa it's a promotion.' Jon, a passionate Tottenham Hotspur supporter, has also written a book called A Fan For All Seasons: A Journey Through Life. It chronicles his love of the game and his connection through sport with his older brother Dan who died unexpectedly aged 43 in 2015 after suffering undiagnosed diabetes.  He is now set to busier than ever after Mr Farage quit as Clacton's MP in the face of increasing scrutiny over his finances, the Reform UK leader saying he wanted to be judged by the people of his constituency rather than 'the Establishment'.  Count Binface stands next to Andy Burnham and Robert Pownall at the Makerfield by-election result announement on June 18 202 Analysts have suggested the move could backfire and Count Binface is waiting in the wings to heap by-election embarrassment on the Reform UK leader. The comedian began his political life as Lord Buckethead - taking on Theresa May in her Maidenhead constituency during the 2017 general election.  After a copyright dispute over the name, Count Binface emerged to challenge Boris Johnson, the then prime minister, in Uxbridge and South Ruislip at the 2019 general election. He came in seventh with 69 votes.  In 2024, he challenged Rishi Sunak in his Richmond and Northallerton seat. Most recently, Count Binface came seventh at the Makerfield by-election, receiving 95 votes and 0.2 per cent of public support, after standing against Andy Burnham.  As he learned of his imminent return to Westminster, Burnham ended up sandwiched between Count Binface and a candidate dressed as a fox.  On Wednesday, Mr Burnham shared a photograph of himself shaking hands with Count Binface at the Makerfield count, joking on X: 'Always worth knowing when bin day is.'  Both the Conservatives and Labour have signalled their support for Count Binface in his fight against Mr Farage.  Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told Sky News: 'If it's the people versus the establishment, I think Nigel Farage might be looking like the establishment, and Count Binface may be the people.'