Badenoch: I’m amazed Burnham has time for Gogglebox

Dominic PennaFri, October 23, 2026 at 12:37 PM UTC

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Kemi Badenoch says she didn’t have time to appear on Gogglebox ‘even as a junior minister’ - PA/Peter Byrne

Kemi Badenoch has hit out at Andy Burnham for appearing on Channel 4’s Gogglebox.

The Prime Minister will feature in a charity episode of the programme alongside Steve Rotheram, the mayor of Liverpool, on Friday night.

Mrs Badenoch, the Conservative leader, told the BBC: “I just don’t know how he has the time – there’s a Budget next week and he’s going on Gogglebox.”

Gogglebox depicts couples and families across Britain reacting to the past seven days of documentaries, dramas, reality shows and television news.

Mr Burnham will offer his thoughts on the nation’s favourite TV alongside Mr Rotheram, the co-author of his book about devolution, in an episode airing at 9.05pm on Friday.

The special programme features a wide-ranging celebrity cast and will support Stand Up to Cancer.

But in an interview with the BBC, Mrs Badenoch insisted that the Prime Minister should have other things to do with his time before the first budget by John Healey, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, on Wednesday.

“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 secretary of state, I never had time for Gogglebox.”

Downing Street has insisted that Mr Burnham filmed his Gogglebox segment, which was shot in his No 10 flat, outside his working hours.

Asked about Mrs Badenoch’s remarks, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman defended his decision to take part.

The spokesman said: “I would just say the Prime Minister took part in a personal capacity in support of the Stand Up to Cancer charity.

“As you know, he has a long-standing commitment to supporting charities, building on his work as mayor of Greater Manchester and continuing as Prime Minister.”

James Murray, the financial secretary to the Treasury, rejected a suggestion by LBC’s Nick Ferrari that Mr Burnham was being “too blokey” in his appearance.

“I think, as I understand it, this was filmed out of office hours,” Mr Murray said. “I think for the Prime Minister to film something for – it’s for charity, isn’t it? It’s for cancer.

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“So it’s a charity thing. For him to do that out of hours, I think people would say that’s a good thing.”

Downing Street declined to confirm what Mr Burnham would be tuning in to, saying viewers would have to wait until Friday night to find out.

It is not yet known which programmes Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham will be watching on Gogglebox on Friday - Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street

The most popular television shows currently gripping the nation include Celebrity Traitors, the Great British Bake Off and Strictly Come Dancing.

A preview video clip uploaded by Channel 4 to its Instagram account featured footage of the black door of 10 Downing Street and audio of Mr Burnham and Mr Rotherham.

Craig Cash, the comedy actor who provides the voiceover for Gogglebox, could be heard introducing the pair with the joke: “In Downing Street, good friends Andy and Steve.”

The Prime Minister was heard saying: “Might have some crisps out here. Do you want any? I’ve got Skips, pork scratchings, Twiglets – Twiglets are probably the best, to be honest, aren’t they?”

Mr Rotheram said he would “probably go for” the Skips, prompting an incredulous reply from his former mayoral colleague.

Mr Burnham is the first Prime Minister to take part in Gogglebox but not the first Labour leader, with Jeremy Corbyn having appeared on a Stand Up to Cancer special in 2017.

Ahead of the episode, Mr Burnham claimed politicians could “spot faithfuls and traitors a mile off”.

Asked for his assessment of The Celebrity Traitors series so far, he said: “Well, obviously, I would say that politicians have got a lot to offer to those who are looking for tactics in relation to The Traitors.”

Mr Burnham, who seized power from Sir Keir Starmer after plotting to be prime minister for more than a year, added: “Our profession teaches us to do that, but it’s a great programme. It’s a great example of how strong British broadcasting is, and of course the BBC.”

Mr Burnham is no stranger to light-hearted media appearances.

He has ranked pub snacks in a video alongside Mr Healey and been quizzed about his career while on a stepladder.

Asked why he had decided to appear on Gogglebox, the Prime Minister said he made “no apology” and added: “I’m proud to support Stand Up To Cancer, and that’s what we’re doing, myself and the mayor of the Liverpool City Region, by appearing.

“I make no apology for trying to lead with a bit of lightness at times, a bit of humour.”

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”