Michael Cashman in his Eastenders days

Another television actor, Tony Robinson, who played the role of Baldrick in BBC TV's Blackadder series, headed the voting in the constituency list of candidates for the NEC.

Also in the constituency section ballot Mark Seddon, the editor of Tribune and a left-wing critic of the leadership, was elected back onto the NEC.

He replaced former party general secretary Lord Sawyer, who did not stand.

Other candidates

Labour's NEC "oversees the overall direction of the party and the policy making process".

It has members elected by, respectively, Labour constituencies, trade unions and MPs and European MPs.

Tony Robinson, left, in his Blackadder days

Mr Soley ran into criticism before the general election when he was challenged for the post of chairman of the PLP because many Labour MPs felt he had not been robust enough in standing up for their views against the party leadership.

The successful candidates in the MPs and MEPs section - in addition to Mr Cashman - were Dennis Skinner and Helen Jackson who was elected automatically as party rules require that there is at least one woman, and she was the only candidate.

The successful constituency list - in addition to Tony Robinson - included Ann Black, Christine Shawcroft, Shahid Malik, Mr Seddon and Ruth Turner.