Prime Minister Andy Burnham has revealed on Celebrity Gogglebox why Strictly Come Dancing gives him 'anxiety' while watching an edition of the BBC dancing competition. He appeared on the Channel 4 series on Friday night (October 23) alongside Steve Rotheram, the mayor of Liverpool City Region, as part of the Stand Up To Cancer fundraising campaign.
Only Connect and Strictly Memories
The pair first watched the BBC quiz show Only Connect, presented by Victoria Coren Mitchell. During a music round featuring PSY's 'Gangnam Style', Mr Burnham recalled the moment Ed Balls, former Economic Secretary to the Treasury, danced the Salsa to the viral hit with Katya Jones on Strictly.
“I just think of Ed Balls, did you ever see that on Strictly. I don’t think I’ll ever get that out of my mind ever. You can’t unsee it, can you,” he said. Mr Rotheram joked: “You can’t be on Strictly then if you want to be a serious politician.”
Anxiety Over Abba Salsa
Later, tuning into Strictly's Icons Week, the politicians watched Graeme 'The Dog Father' Hall and Lauren Oakley dance the Salsa to an Abba melody. Mr Burnham explained why he wouldn't take on the competition: “When I hear this music I get a clang of anxiety, I did this for Rob Burrow. Honestly, never, ever again.”
As Greater Manchester Mayor, Mr Burnham had performed a salsa to 'Livin' La Vida Loca' with professional dancer Cara Tighe at the Burrow Strictly Ball in 2024, raising money for Rob Burrow's motor neurone disease (MND) charities. He did suggest he might return, saying: “I could go on Strictly, I could do it with a Manchester icon, I think I’d do Sit Down by James.”
Political Reaction
Earlier that day, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch questioned Mr Burnham's participation given other commitments. She said: “I don’t mind them giving advice. 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.”
Mr Burnham responded that he would 'make no apology' for trying to 'lead with a bit of lightness'. He said he was 'proud' to support Stand Up To Cancer, which since 2012 has been turning lab developments into new tests and treatments. “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,” he told reporters.
