New British Prime Minister Andy Burnham's wife, Marie-France van Heel, known as Frankie, once appeared on the iconic TV show Blind Date in the 1990s, with disastrous results. The soon-to-be PM's spouse chose a contestant who dressed as Mario and later became a director of communications for the Conservative Party.
How Frankie Ended Up on Blind Date
Twenty-four years ago, while Frankie and Burnham were dating at Cambridge University, she was selected to appear on Blind Date, hosted by Cilla Black. She asked Burnham for permission, and he agreed, though he later admitted he watched from behind the sofa. Frankie chose Will from Surrey, who arrived in blue dungarees and a red sweatshirt, resembling the video game character Mario.
The Disastrous Date
During the classic Blind Date questions, things went awry. When Frankie asked what he did in the shower, Will replied: 'I generally make up poems and short stories.' He then rhymed: 'Oh Frankie, oh Frankie, your name is quite cranky, pick me for your Blind Date, and there'll be no hanky-panky.' When asked what he would do if he were her first taste of British men, he responded: 'You give me half an hour and I'll give you the best time of your life.'
The date in Gibraltar did not improve. During filming, Frankie told Will to 'try and look attractive' while posing for a picture. Back in the studio, Will called Frankie a 'cold fish,' to which she responded by telling him to 'f*** off' and throwing a pillow at him.
A Surprising Connection
Despite the disastrous date, Frankie married Burnham eight years later. In a twist, Burnham revealed that Will from Surrey later became the director of communications for the Conservative Party. 'My wife and I have been together for 25 years, but in the early days she was on Blind Date,' Burnham said via The Mirror. 'She was the picker, and to add insult to injury, she picked Will from Surrey, who ended up being the director of communications for the Conservative Party.'
