Prime Minister Andy Burnham struggled to hold back tears during an emotional interview on ITV's This Morning, speaking about his father Roy, who has Alzheimer's disease.
Interview on This Morning
Appearing alongside presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary just days into his new role, Burnham discussed his proposals for adult social care in England and shared his own lived experience with his father's condition.
Burnham has previously spoken about how his father's diagnosis means he is unaware of his son becoming Prime Minister. 'That's a sadness because he would be [proud],' he told the Times. 'The way I look at it, it's his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn't know it.'
Emotional Moment
During the interview on Wednesday, July 29, Alison and Dermot asked after Burnham's dad. He replied: 'He's ok. He's well looked after in the place that he is.' Alison observed that his father must be 'so proud', commenting: 'He must be so proud of you now, look at you now, on This Morning,' while Dermot added: 'And being Prime Minister!'
Burnham went on: 'He would... I don't know if he knows, obviously. The care home staff said something wonderful to me at the weekend. They said, on the day that I went to Downing Street, they got him right in front of the television, and a few of them said, Look Roy, look.'
Becoming emotional, Burnham confessed: 'It makes me a bit emotional.' He added: 'I was with my mum and I was talking to my mum, talking about my dad a little bit.'
Family Values
Offering her sympathy, Alison responded: 'They're our everything, our parents are our core values, they are our everything.' Burnham concluded: 'For me, I wouldn't be sitting here were it not for Roy and Eileen. They were everything, they made me and my brothers, they instilled everything. They also instilled Everton Football Club in my blood, I don't know if I thank them for that!'
This Morning airs weekdays from 10am on ITV1 and ITVX.
