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Prime Minister swaps despatch box for Gogglebox

Marc WaddingtonNorth West
News imageChannel 4 Image shows Steve Rotheram, in a white long-sleeved polo shirt, sitting alongside Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who is wearing a black cardigan. They are sitting on the sofa in Downing Street. Channel 4
Prime Minister Andy Burnham (r) and Merseyside mayor Steve Rotheram are starring in a Stand Up 2 Cancer Gogglebox special

Prime Minister Andy Burnham is to star in a special edition of Gogglebox to raise funds for Stand Up 2 Cancer.

He will join Merseyside Mayor Steve Rotheram on the sofa as the pair give their verdict on a pick of the week's TV, from reality shows to quizzes.

Rotheram said that as well as being a huge supporter of the cause, he had agreed to take part because he did not want Burnham to end up looking like "Billy No-Mates" sitting on the Downing Street sofa alone.

The special Stand Up 2 Cancer Gogglebox edition airs on Friday at 21:05 BST on Channel 4.

Rotheram said the pair had struggled with one particularly cerebral TV quiz show and found themselves flummoxed by its music round.

"We're both big into our music but we couldn't get it," he said.

He added that while their television tastes were largely similar, they disagreed over what snacks to eat while watching.

"I'm more of a cheesy puffs-type guy," said Rotheram. "But he's more into the hard, crunchy stuff."

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