Prime Minister Andy Burnham has defended his upcoming appearance on Celebrity Gogglebox after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused him of dodging 'difficult' work. The PM will feature on the Channel 4 show on Friday night (October 23) alongside Steve Rotheram, the mayor of Liverpool City Region.
The episode is part of Channel 4's Stand Up To Cancer fundraising campaign, which has been turning lab developments into new tests and treatments since 2012. Burnham, who will watch shows including Strictly Come Dancing, Celebrity Traitors, Countdown, Only Connect for Stand Up To Cancer, Africa: Earth's Wild Home, Shona's Story: Stand Up To Cancer and Callum's Story: Stand Up To Cancer, said he will 'make no apology' for his decision.
Badenoch questions priorities
Speaking to PA, Badenoch questioned how Burnham had time for the show amid other commitments. She referenced government advice for the public to stockpile food, water and other essentials for possible emergencies, saying: "I don't mind them giving advice."
She added: "I worry that between the Prime Minister being on Gogglebox and then talking about stockpiling canned goods, they're not actually doing the really difficult stuff that will protect the country."
Burnham's response
Burnham responded that he is 'proud' to support Stand Up To Cancer, saying: "That's the way I go at things and connect with people as best I can. And perhaps if a few more people watch it tonight and then support Stand Up To Cancer, that will be job done."
In a clip released ahead of the episode, Burnham was seen tearfully reacting to stories of people diagnosed with cancer, describing them as 'utter devastation'. He said: "The only thing that does give some hope is there is so much incredible research going on, and some of the main cancers of years ago, there's been such big progress on them."
Also appearing in the episode are Joe Lycett, known for The Hunger Games, comedy and Celebrity Traitors, and the Sugababes. The show airs on Channel 4 at 9.05pm.
