Andy Burnham, widely tipped as the future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, has a long history of memorable media appearances. The Daily Star has dug through archives to uncover some of the most bizarre moments from his political career.
Staring into the Soul of a Drag Queen
One of the most random images shows Burnham staring deeply into the eyes of a drag queen at The Mirror's Labour Party Conference event in 2021. The drag queen's identity remains unknown, but Burnham appears both confused and lost.
Football with Legends
Burnham is a massive Everton fan and has been photographed playing football with genuine legends of the game, including Gus Poyet and, surprisingly, Ed Balls. In an interview with Four Four Two magazine, he recalled his earliest football memories: "It would have been around 1973 and I would have only been about two or three years old. I have a very dim memory of going up the steps to the game and seeing the green."
He added: "One of the games I do remember was against Bristol City at Goodison in 1976 it was my brother’s 8th birthday and we beat them 2-0. The other one that sticks in my mind from that era is against Sunderland with big Duncan McKenzie running the show, he was like a matador. I remember him jumping over a mini, a very flamboyant character."
Burnham also shared memories of Everton legend Graeme Sharp: "I remember Graeme Sharp scoring a goal against Spurs in 1982 it was a volley from the edge of the box. Another famous one was from the Merseyside derby at Anfield leaping from the edge of the box in 1984. I did encroach upon the playing surface at Highbury that year when Adrian Heath scored a late winner (against Southampton)."
He continued: "The goal that a lot of Evertonians my age will point to will be Trevor Steven’s goal against Bayern Munich in terms of the significance of the occasion taking us to the final of the Cup Winners' Cup in 1985."
First Parliamentary Mugshot
One of the wildest images is Burnham's first ever Parliamentary mugshot. He looks young, unburdened by the sands of political time, and seemingly unaware of the chaos he would create later in life.
Running with Eddie Izzard
Burnham also appears to love running and was snapped alongside British icon Eddie Izzard on Brighton Beach in 2013. Also pictured is Alastair Campbell for reasons unknown.
Horrified Expressions
Burnham is known for his inability to hide his facial expressions. In October 2009, as Health Secretary, he stood alongside then-Government chief medical officer Liam Donaldson watching a nurse give a swine flu vaccination at University College London Hospital. He looked horrified—very horrified.
Another image from July 2009 shows him talking to a member of staff at an anti-viral clinic in Tower Hamlets, but standing at a bizarre angle, like a WWE star watching a TV screen, with no logic behind it.
The Weird Scarf
In 2008, Burnham debuted a truly weird scarf. It is not short, not long, not medium—but rather big and seemingly pointless, while his coat and suit jacket are both open wide.
Pandemic Reaction
During the pandemic, one of Burnham's most infamous facial expressions occurred when then-leader of Manchester City Council Sir Richard Leese showed him the news from London that Tier 3 measures would come into force on October 20, 2020, in Manchester. Talks between Burnham and the Government had collapsed hours before after they failed to agree a financial package to help Mancunians whose jobs were threatened by a Tier Three lockdown—and into lockdown they went.
A Penny for His Thoughts
Burnham's career has been memorable, but his face often tells a different story to the one he perhaps wants to portray—even behind a mask. And a penny for his thoughts at that moment, less than two years ago—because in hindsight, we all knew what was coming.
