PM defends Gogglebox appearance after Badenoch criticism

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has defended his decision to appear on a celebrity edition of Channel 4's Gogglebox, after Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch questioned how he could find the time.

Burnham, the former Greater Manchester mayor, will appear on the Stand Up To Cancer special alongside his friend Steve Rotheram, the Labour mayor of the Liverpool City Region. The programme airs on Channel 4 at 21:05 BST.

Speaking on BBC Breakfast, Badenoch said appearing on the show was "not my thing". She said she was amazed the prime minister could fit it in, arguing that even as a junior minister she never had time for Gogglebox, which she said "takes hours to do".

She described Burnham as being "on social media all day", adding: "My job is to hold him to account." She added that she had seen many prime ministers up close and had never seen one take such an approach.

Burnham hit back, saying: "I'm proud to support Stand Up To Cancer. I make no apology for trying to lead with a bit of lightness."

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, he said the charity night was an established moment in the annual calendar for backing Stand Up To Cancer, and that he and Rotheram were proud to take part. He said he was trying to give the country a lift and some hope, adding: "That's always my approach and it's what I'm trying to do."