Prime Minister Andy Burnham said "never again" when discussing Strictly Come Dancing during his debut appearance on Gogglebox, revealing he had taken part in a charity dance event for rugby league legend Rob Burrow.
Mr Burnham appeared on the Channel 4 show for the first time in a Stand Up to Cancer special episode, sitting alongside his friend Steve Rotheram, mayor of Liverpool City Region. The pair filmed from No 10 Downing Street and gave their verdicts on several television programmes.
Strictly memories bring 'wave of anxiety'
As the Strictly Come Dancing theme tune played, Mr Burnham said it brought back a wave of anxiety. When Mr Rotheram asked why, the Prime Minister revealed he had taken part in a Strictly Come Dancing charity event in aid of Rob Burrow, who died in 2024 after battling motor neurone disease.
Mr Burnham took part in the event at the Winter Gardens, Blackpool, in April 2024. Other celebrities involved included BBC's Gethin Jones and Coronation Street star Daniel Brocklebank.
Speaking on Gogglebox, Mr Burnham said: "When I hear this it brings a wave of anxiety. I did this for Rob Burrow. Never, ever again."
Jokes about Manchester icon performance
The pair then watched a performance from last week's Strictly episode, where dog trainer Graeme Hall danced as ABBA with partner Lauren Oakley during icons week. Mr Burnham joked he would do the show again as a Manchester icon, laughing as he said to Mr Rotheram: "I could do 'Sit Down' by James."
Fans were divided over the Prime Minister's decision to take part in the show, but he said he was "proud" to appear in the charity episode.
Support for Stand Up to Cancer
Speaking to ITV Politics, Mr Burnham said: "I'm proud to support Stand Up to Cancer and that's what we're doing, myself and the mayor of Liverpool City region, by appearing [on Gogglebox]."
He added: "It's always a moment in the annual calendar where we support Stand Up to Cancer through Gogglebox. Steve and I are proud to do it. I make no apology for trying to lead with a bit of lightness at times, a bit of humour. That's the way I go about things and connect with people as best I can. Perhaps if a few more people watch it tonight and then support Stand Up to Cancer that will be job done."
Stand Up To Cancer is a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4. More than £127 million has been raised in the UK to date, funding 73 clinical trials and research projects involving more than 13,000 cancer patients.
