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Ford’s admissions of smoking crack cocaine in a drunken stupor, his profanities and offensive behaviour garnered national and international headlines. The antics also made him the butt of late-night television jokes and the pending end of his reign at city hall did not go unnoticed in the comedy realm.

TV host John Oliver lamented the end of Ford as mayor, but found solace in the possibility his brother might replace him.

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“Look, Toronto: I think I speak on behalf of the rest of the world when I deliver you this message,” Oliver said in a segment.

“Please, please elect this man. I beg you.”

Ford, who is returning to hospital for another round of tests on Wednesday, spent much of the day stumping for votes in his ward. The ailing mayor predicted his older brother would take the mayoral race by a comfortable margin.

“My brother’s going to get about 45 to 56% of the vote,” Mayor Ford told CP24.

In all, 65 candidates were hoping to succeed Ford as mayor, but polls suggested the winner would most likely come from a trio of front-runners, former Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory, former New Democrat MP Olivia Chow, and Doug Ford.

Tory, 60, campaigned on the promise of a new era of co-operation and consultation after the divisive Ford years. The former CFL chairman and senior telecommunications executive has pledged a return to stability and civility at city hall — something polls suggested many in the city would welcome.