WE sat down with Joel Charles, the Conservative candidate for St Helens North, and asked him some quick-fire questions.

Here's what he had to say.

Education:

I went to Mark Hall Comprehensive School in Harlow and The Bishop’s Stortford High School in Bishop’s Stortford for sixth form. I then went and studied politics at the University of Kent.

To me I think education is vitally important, we’ve got to ensure that young people in St Helens North get the right tools so they can achieve their life ambitions.

Profession:

I’m the director of a health and adult social care charity, a national charity helping people in later life.

First car you bought?

It was a blue Ford Fiesta. I loved that car. It was the one I got when I first passed my test. It was a brilliant car.

Where did you last go on holiday?

I went to Hamburg in Germany. It’s a really impressive city and of course, very serious that it was bombed out in the Second World War. So, I love the architecture there and some of the history. A really good place to visit.

What was the last thing you ate?

Spaghetti bolognese. That’s my favourite.

When was the last time you cried?

At my nan’s funeral. She was 93 years old. She had a really good innings. We were very close, God bless her soul.

Favourite St Helens restaurant?

The Rainford Supper Bar does a mean Singapore-style noodles.

Favourite St Helens pub?

The Derby. I’m a Guinness drinker. I can’t resist a Guinness, so I really enjoyed in there.

What would be your last meal?

Steak and chips.

Where do you do your food shopping?

Tesco, I’m a Tesco’s man.

Favourite Saints player?

Obviously the side is really strong this year, it’s really difficult to choose from them. If I choose a favourite I might be accused of favouritism. The squad’s done really well. Obviously we’re out of season but the guys are doing a fantastic job.

Favourite movie?

It has to be, to me, a really powerful film, The Shawshank Redemption. A very powerful film about prison life. I think we can take a lot from that film. It’s something I think everyone has seen and can share their own experiences about.

Favourite TV series?

My favourite TV series at the moment would have to be The Crown. I think it’s a brilliant programme and it charts the Queen’s passage through time as the Monarch. And it’s really fascinating. And of course, with the general election and Prince Andrew, there’s lots of interesting debates to be had about that.

Favourite book?

I’ve got many but I have to say for me at the moment my favourite book would be an obscure book called The Luneburg Variation. It’s a fascinating read if anybody gets a chance to look at it. Look it up.

Favourite actor?

It has to be Denzel Washington. He’s a great man and I love his films.

What music are you listening to right now?

I’ve always been a big fan of Coldplay. I’ve followed them from a very long time. I’m a massive fan of Coldplay.

Who would play you in the movie of your life?

That’s a really good question. I think it would have to be Benedict Cumberbatch, let’s go with that.

Any tattoos?

No, I don’t. I don’t have any tattoos.

Best gift you’ve ever received?

The best gift I ever received was from my sister. My sister and I grew up together over the course of many years in Essex and the best gift she gave me was a frame of our family history. It was fascinating because she’d done all this work and put it together. I think gifts like that where you research the history, look into our family, I thought that was brilliant.

If you had one superpower, what would it be?

To control the weather so that we don’t have any snow on general election day.

What’s the best piece advice you’ve received?

Stay clam under pressure and keep going.