BUSINESSMAN AND DRAGONS’ Den personality Gavin Duffy has become the fourth official candidate on the ballot for next month’s presidential election.

It follows a vote today by Waterford Council.

Duffy was previously endorsed by councils in Meath, Carlow and Wicklow.

To get on the presidential ballot paper, a candidate needs the backing of at least four councils or 20 members of the Oireachtas.

Duffy secured the backing of 14 councillors at a meeting of Waterford City and County Council this afternoon. Journalist Gemma O’Doherty was backed by two councillors and there was one abstention.

Speaking about the news, Duffy thanked the cross-party councillors who backed him.

“I got support from all of the Fianna Fáil councillors, all of the Fine Gael councillors present and Labour as well as all of the independents except two who were proposing and supporting Gemma O’Doherty,” he said.

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Duffy added that he’s “ready to contest the presidential election and looking forward to it”.

President Michael D Higgins, who is entitled to nominate himself, has indicated he will run again.

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Pieta House founder Joan Freeman and Sean Gallagher – another Dragons’ Den star, who also ran in 2011 – have also secured places on the ballot.

Sinn Féin will also contest the election, and are set to announce their candidate on Sunday.

The election will be held on Friday 26 October.

With reporting by Órla Ryan