Brother of Toronto Mayor Rob Ford will run in his place

Embattled Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has withdrawn from October's mayoral election after being diagnosed with an abdominal tumour.

The mayor, 45, had defied calls to step down after admitting last year he had smoked crack cocaine while in office. He was admitted to hospital on Wednesday after suffering months of abdominal pain.

On Friday evening, his brother and political confidant Toronto Councillor Doug Ford announced that he would replace him on the ballot.