Former education minister and radio talk show host Dr Jacqui Quinn has denied claims she plans to run for the St George constituency.

Speculation had suggested she might replace incumbent MP Algernon “Serpent” Watts on the United Progressive Party ticket in the next general election. But Quinn said she was “blindsided” by the rumours.

“I’m not running. I retired from politics for health reasons,” said Quinn, a cancer survivor who has been in remission for 13 years. “It would be medically foolhardy to face the rigours of a campaign.”

Watts is understood to have signalled he will not seek re-election.