Andy Burnham defends planned Gogglebox appearance after Kemi Badenoch criticism

Prime Minister Andy Burnham defended his planned appearance on a charity edition of Gogglebox on 23 October after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch questioned how he had time to take part, BBC News reported. The Channel 4 special, in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, was scheduled to air that evening.

Burnham said he was proud to support the campaign and made no apology for trying to lead with ‘a bit of lightness and at times a bit of humour’. His response followed Badenoch’s criticism of the time the programme would take, according to the BBC.

Why Badenoch criticised Burnham’s Gogglebox appearance

The opposition leader also criticised Burnham’s use of social media. She said she could spend more time on it herself but would then struggle to do her job of holding him to account. Appearing on Gogglebox was ‘not my thing’, she said.

The Stand Up To Cancer special

Burnham was due to appear alongside Steve Rotheram, the Labour mayor of the Liverpool City Region and his friend, the BBC reported. Channel 4 said the pair would join Gogglebox regulars and other guests for the special, scheduled for 21:05 BST on 23 October. Stand Up To Cancer is a joint fundraising campaign with Cancer Research UK that supports cancer research, according to the broadcaster.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Burnham called the recurring special an annual opportunity to support Stand Up To Cancer through Gogglebox. He said he and Rotheram were proud to take part and that he wanted to give the country ‘a lift’ and ‘some hope’. He acknowledged that his appearance might not appeal to everyone.

Burnham said he had long supported the fight against cancer. His defence framed the appearance as part of that commitment, while Badenoch’s objection focused on the demands of the prime minister’s job. At the time of the exchange, the broadcast was still scheduled for later that evening.