Prime Minister Andy Burnham is swapping politics for television as he joins the cast of Gogglebox for a special Stand Up To Cancer episode. Burnham will appear alongside Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram, Gogglebox regulars and other famous faces to react to the week's biggest TV moments on Friday (October 23) at 9.05pm on Channel 4.
A Star-Studded Charity Special
The pair will join recently announced guests Sugababes and comedian Joe Lycett for the special episode, which will feature the show's trademark mix of hilarious, honest and unexpected reactions, alongside more poignant stories, all in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.
The special will continue Gogglebox's celebration of the simple joy of watching television together, with nothing off limits as the famous faces give their verdicts on the week's viewing.
A History of Celebrity Specials
Gogglebox's Stand Up To Cancer specials have been a feature of the Channel 4 charity campaign since 2014. The original celebrity special featured a mix of familiar faces from the worlds of music, fashion and entertainment, including Kate Moss, Noel Gallagher, Naomi Campbell, Paul O'Grady and Kathy Burke.
The format proved popular enough to help pave the way for Celebrity Gogglebox, which Channel 4 commissioned as a standalone, multi-episode series in 2019. Its first run lasted six episodes and featured stars including Rylan Clark-Neal, Little Mix and Oti Mabuse.
Since then, the celebrity version has brought together famous faces from across entertainment, sport and public life to watch television and share their unfiltered reactions from their own living rooms.
Burnham and Rotheram Join the Line-Up
Burnham and Rotheram's appearance brings two prominent figures from the North West into the mix, with viewers set to see them in a rather different setting from their usual public appearances.
Taking to Instagram, the official Gogglebox account teased the upcoming episode, writing: "Meet Andy and Steve Two more friends joining #Gogglebox for #StandUpToCancer @andy.burnham @metromayorsteve Tune in this Friday at 9:05pm on @channel4".
The announcement prompted an enthusiastic response from viewers, including original Gogglebox star Izzi Warner, who joked in the comments: "Is that the living room inside number 10?"
The episode will air on Channel 4 on Friday (October 23) at 9.05pm, raising awareness and support for Stand Up To Cancer, the campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 which funds life-saving cancer research.
