Andy Burnham has often sought to present himself as a man of the people, whether by comparing notes on pub snacks or raising concerns over loud phone use on public transport.
He will now become the first prime minister to appear on Gogglebox, in a special charity episode recorded at Downing Street and set to air on Friday.
He will be joined by Steve Rotheram, the mayor of the Liverpool city region and a close friend, to review the week’s television. The episode also features pop band Sugababes and comedian Joe Lycett.
The programme was filmed inside No 10. In the trailer, viewers are introduced to “good friends Andy and Steve” and Burnham can be heard saying: “Might have some crisps out here, do you want any?” They then have a lengthy discussion about crisps.
Rotheram responds that he has brought Quavers. Burnham offers his friend Skips, pork scratchings, Twiglets or bacon fries to go with a beer. He is heard throwing the packet to Rotheram, and it appears to drop on the floor, after which both laugh.
Channel 4 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.”
A source close to Burnham told The Guardian he liked Gogglebox and had enjoyed watching the show. No 10 said he had a longstanding commitment to supporting charities, building on his work as mayor of Greater Manchester and continuing in office as prime minister.
In 2017, Jeremy Corbyn, then the Labour leader, appeared on the show. During his episode he shared his recipe for coddled eggs while watching a Nigella Lawson cookery programme.
Stand Up To Cancer is a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4 that brings Britain together to speed up progress in cancer research. More than £127m has been raised to date, funding 73 clinical trials and research projects involving more than 13,000 cancer patients.
More celebrity TV critics are to be announced. The show airs this Friday on Channel 4 at 9.05pm.
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