Douglas-born Mr Woodford, who found fame on TV's Can't Cook, Won't Cook, insists he has not made a final decision as to whether to put his name forward.

But he told the Examiner: 'I'm giving it very serious consideration. I've always been interested in politics.'

It is understood that there may be as many as 11 possible candidates for the MLC election, which takes place on Monday, March 15.

These include the four sitting MLCs — Alan Crowe, Dudley Butt, Alex Downie and George Waft — whose term of office come to an end on February 28.

Nominations close on March 1.

TV chef Mr Woodford, 59, was educated at Willaston and Murray's Road schools and then Ballakermeen and Douglas High School before enrolling on a foundation course for professional cooks at Isle of Man College, Douglas.

He left the Island at 18, but says he never lost his Manx roots and is keen to stress that his television career, which has included hosting Planet Cook, Heaven and Earth and Songs of Praise, has been only one part of his working life.

Mr Woodford worked in various internationally recognised hotels from trainee to executive chef, starting at The Fort Anne Hotel in Douglas through to The Dorchester in London.

He went on to become a lecturer in further and higher education, teaching tourism and hospitality management at Scarborough College and going on to become assistant principal at Granville College in Sheffield.

He has been a consultant for the Bulgarian government, the Ritz Hotel Group, P&O Cruises and Saga Cruises.

In 2008 he opened a boutique hotel, Birchfield House in York Road, Douglas, which secured a 5 Star Gold award as it specialises in the top end finance and tourism market.

He has also written eight books, had his career showcased on TV's This is Your Life and is currently a governor for St Ninian's, Ballakermeen, Manor Park and Braddan schools.

His CV lists his interests as family, walking, golf, music and theatre.

The March LegCo election will be the first to be fought under new rules that aim to avert the farce of multiple ballots. In previous years, failure of candidates to secure the necessary 13 votes from MHKs has resulted in ballots having to be re-run time and time again, taking weeks and sometimes even months before the vacancies are filled.

This led to claims that the parliamentary system itself was being brought into disrepute.

Following a private member's bill introduced by Rushen MHK Phil Gawne the process was changed to try to ensure LegCo elections are completed in one sitting.

Under the Constitutional Amendment Act 2008, the House of Keys cannot do any other business on the day of the poll until the process is complete.

They can adjourn to the next day but that option is only available once.
Nominations can be taken from the floor if there is still a vacancy after all the candidates nominated in advance have been voted on. As before, candidates have to secure at least 13 votes to secure a seat in the upper house.

There are a total of eight elective seats on the Legislative Council. A rotating system is operated whereby members are voted on four at a time. The other four MLCs — Clare Christian, Eddie Lowey Juan Turner and David Callister — were re-elected in 2008 and so their five-year term of office will expire on February 28, 2013.