GB News was interrupted for a breaking announcement after it was revealed that Andy Burnham will be appearing on Channel 4's Celebrity Gogglebox, making him the first prime minister in history to do so.
Burnham will join Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram on the programme's Stand Up To Cancer special on Friday, October 23. The announcement has sparked a political row, with GB News correspondent Christopher Hope reporting that the Conservatives are questioning why Kemi Badenoch has not been invited to appear.
Tory Concerns Over Political Balance
Hope revealed that a Tory source told him: "It's Channel 4's job to ensure political balance." He added that the question in Westminster today is: "Why aren't other parties being asked on Gogglebox?"
GB News presenter Charlie Peters argued that creating a separate Gogglebox edition for every political party leader would be impractical for the programme's organisers, suggesting politicians should focus on their day jobs instead.
Criticism from Shadow Culture Minister
"Whenever there's an election, we have to read out every single candidate and we have to go through that process, but if we start saying that every single political party leader needs their own Gogglebox edition, it's not necessarily great for the organisers of that programme," Peters said. "It could go on forever. Every week, a different politician on Gogglebox."
In a subtle dig at Burnham, Peters asked: "Isn't the solution here perhaps for politicians to keep doing politics and to leave alternative programming to the rest of us?"
The move has been criticised by Shadow Culture Minister Louie French, who believes it proves Burnham is "not a serious prime minister".
"Britain's debt is growing, our economy is stagnating, and the world is becoming more dangerous," French told GB News. "But don't worry we know what Andy Burnham's favourite crisps are and can watch him on GoggleBox. He is not a serious PM."
Programme Details and Response
The prime minister will join comedian Joe Lycett and Sugababes singers Mutya Buena, Keisha Buchanan and Siobhan Donaghy on the programme.
A Channel 4 spokesperson said: "Nothing is off limits as Gogglebox continues to celebrate the simple joy of watching television together. They'll be sharing hilarious, honest and often unexpected reactions to the week's biggest television moments as well as poignant stories all in aid of Stand Up To Cancer."
