Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has criticised Prime Minister Andy Burnham for appearing on Channel 4's Gogglebox, saying she is "amazed" he has time for the show given his busy schedule.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Badenoch said that "even as a junior minister or as a secretary of state, I never had time to go on Gogglebox" and that the programme "takes hours to do". Her comments came after Burnham was revealed as part of the line-up for a celebrity episode of the show in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, which airs on Friday.
Burnham defends charity appearance
Burnham defended his decision to take part, telling the BBC: "I'm proud to support Stand Up To Cancer. I make no apology for trying to lead with a bit of lightness and at times a bit of humour, that's the way I go at things."
The former Greater Manchester mayor will appear on the programme alongside Steve Rotheram, the Labour Mayor of the Liverpool City Region. "It is always a moment in the annual calendar where we support Stand Up To Cancer through Gogglebox," Burnham said. "Steve and I are proud to do it. I'm trying to give the country a lift – trying to give the country some hope. That's always my approach, and it's what I'm trying to do. It may not appeal to everybody when it comes to Gogglebox. It's Stand Up To Cancer night, and I've always been somebody who puts my shoulder behind the fight against cancer."
Badenoch: 'Not my thing'
However, Badenoch – who visited Cheshire Constabulary on Friday – said appearing on the programme was "not my thing". "What I'm amazed at is that Andy Burnham has got time to go on Gogglebox," she said. "When you get a new job in politics it's so difficult. There's so much to do, and it's like drinking from a fire hose. Even as a junior minister or as a secretary of state I never had time to go on Gogglebox – I just don't know how he's got the time. Gogglebox takes hours to do."
Describing Burnham as "on social media all day", she said she could do the same but "I wouldn't actually be able to do my job as Leader of the Opposition". "My job is to hold him to account, and I've seen a lot of prime ministers up close, and I've never seen a prime minister have the time to do this much Goggleboxing, social media and LADbible," she added.
The special Gogglebox edition airs on Channel 4 at 9.05pm.
