BBC Politics

PM defends Gogglebox appearance after Badenoch criticism

Q: What is this politics story about?

Burnham says he "makes no apology" for the move as Kemi Badenoch says she is "amazed" he has time.

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This story was published by BBC Politics on October 23, 2026 and curated on Africa Front.

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South Africa News, African Politics

October 23, 2026

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PM defends Gogglebox appearance after Badenoch criticism

Published23 October 2026

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has defended his decision to appear on a celebrity episode of Channel 4 hit show Gogglebox after opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said she was "amazed" he had time to do it.

Badenoch told BBC Breakfast that "even as a junior minister or as a secretary of state, I never had time to go on Gogglebox" and it "takes hours to do".

The Conservative leader was responding after Burnham was revealed in the line-up of a celebrity episode of the show in aid of Stand Up To Cancer - which will air later.

"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," Burnham said.

The former Greater Manchester mayor will appear on the programme alongside friend Steve Rotheram, the Labour mayor of the Liverpool City Region.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, Burnham continued: "It is always a moment in the annual calendar where we support Stand Up To Cancer through Gogglebox," Burnham said of the recurring charity special.

"Steve and I are proud to do it.

"I'm trying to give the country a lift - trying to give the county 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."

However, Badenoch 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 Lad Bible," she added.

The special Gogglebox edition airs on Channel 4 at 21:05 BST.

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