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Andy Burnham Defends Gogglebox Appearance for Cancer Charity

By Drooid · Oct 24, 2026, 2:31 AM UTC · How we work

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Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham appears on Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox for Stand Up To Cancer.
The episode is filmed at 10 Downing Street and will air Friday 22 October at 9.05 pm GMT.
Burnham sits with mayor Steve Rotheram, Stanley Tucci, Joe Lycett and the Sugababes.
Burnham defended the stunt, saying he makes no apology for lightness to a cancer charity.
Conservative Kemi Badenoch criticised Burnham, saying she was amazed he had time for Gogglebox.

History

Historical Context

In 2005 Prime Minister Tony Blair appeared on Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day, the UK telethon founded in 1985 by Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry, which that year supported the Make Poverty History campaign and raised £65 million. The trend continued when Greater Manchester leader Andy Burnham joined Channel 4’s Gogglebox for a Stand Up To Cancer appeal in October 2024, sparking debate over partisan use of charity broadcasts.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Andy Burnham appears on Channel 4’s Celebrity Gogglebox for Stand Up To Cancer.
The episode is filmed at 10 Downing Street and will air Friday 22 October at 9.05 pm GMT.
Burnham sits with mayor Steve Rotheram, Stanley Tucci, Joe Lycett and the Sugababes.
Burnham defended the stunt, saying he makes no apology for lightness to a cancer charity.
Conservative Kemi Badenoch criticised Burnham, saying she was amazed he had time for Gogglebox.

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