Andy Burnham's wife, Marie-France van Heel, appeared on the dating show Blind Date while the couple were already in a relationship, a fact that has surprised many. Burnham is set to become the UK Prime Minister today, succeeding Keir Starmer, as he prepares to enter No.10 Downing Street and meet with King Charles.
Background of the Couple
Van Heel, a Dutch-born marketing executive, met Burnham while both were studying English at Cambridge University. During their relationship, she asked for his blessing to appear on the popular ITV programme Blind Date. Burnham reluctantly agreed and later admitted to watching the show from behind the sofa.
Van Heel, widely known as Frankie, chose to go on a date with 'Will from Surrey', who wore a red sweatshirt and dungarees. Presenter Cilla Black remarked to van Heel: "I used to like Andy Pandy - and you've got a real live one."
The Blind Date Experience
Before the date, van Heel asked Will about his shower habits. He responded: "When I'm in the shower I generally make up poems and short stories. Oh Frankie, oh Frankie, your name is quite cranky, pick me for your Blind Date and there'll be no hanky-panky." She then asked: "What would you do if you were my first taste of British men?" Will replied: "You give me half an hour and I'll give you the best time of your life."
Fortunately for Burnham, the date in Gibraltar was a disaster. Cameras captured Will dismissing van Heel as a "cold fish", and she even threw a cushion at him.
Marriage and Family
Van Heel married Burnham in 2000, and the couple have three children together.
Political Support
Burnham enters parliament "with a lot of support", according to Lord Hermer, a close ally of Sir Keir Starmer. Speaking to GB News, Lord Hermer said: "It wasn't an individual who won the last election. Of course, Keir led us through it incredibly successfully, but it was a party manifesto. It was the Labour Party that got elected. It was individual MPs within the parliamentary Labour Party. I'd say about Andy, which is, I'm not sure I agree with you that he's unknown in this country, I think he is very well known. I think he is coming in with a lot of popular support, and as Keir said at the lectern, and again, this is a measure of the Keir Starmer I know. Keir certainly, I can speak for myself, I can speak for all my colleagues, whoever becomes the next leader of the Labour Party, the next Prime Minister, will have our wholehearted support because the challenges we all face as a country demand it."
