Andy Burnham has defended his appearance on a celebrity episode of Channel 4’s Gogglebox after Kemi Badenoch accused him of dodging “difficult” work to protect the UK.<\/p>\n
The UK Prime Minister said he would “make no apology” for trying to “lead with a bit of lightness” after the Tory leader questioned how he had the time to take part in the show.<\/p>\n
He said he was “proud” to support Stand Up To Cancer, the charity highlighted in Wednesday\u2019s episode.<\/p>\n
“That\u2019s the way I go at things and connect with people as best I can.<\/p>\n
“And perhaps if a few more people watch it tonight and then support Stand Up To Cancer, that will be job done,” the Prime Minister told reporters.<\/p>\n
In a clip released ahead of the show on Friday, Mr Burnham can be seen tearfully reacting to the stories of people diagnosed with cancer, which he described as “utter devastation”.<\/p>\n
Sitting on a sofa alongside his close friend, Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram, he says he “just couldn\u2019t imagine” the ordeal, adding: “The only thing that does give some hope is there is so much incredible research going on, and some of the main cancers of years ago, there\u2019s been such big progress on them.<\/p>\n
“But it\u2019s utter devastation isn\u2019t it, if you\u2019re that couple I don\u2019t know how you cope with that.”<\/p>\n
Wednesday\u2019s episode will also feature actor Stanley Tucci, comedian Joe Lycett and pop group Sugababes.<\/p>\n
Speaking to the Press Association earlier, Mrs Badenoch questioned the Prime Minister\u2019s decision to take part in the show while he had other commitments to attend to.<\/p>\n
Referring to the Government\u2019s advice to the public to stockpile food, water and other essentials to prepare for possible emergencies in the future, she said: “I don\u2019t mind them giving advice.<\/p>\n
“I worry that between the Prime Minister being on Gogglebox and then talking about stockpiling canned goods, they\u2019re not actually doing the really difficult stuff that will protect the country.”<\/p>\n
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