By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT
Published: | Updated:
An emotional Andy Burnham is seen reacting to 'devastating' cancer diagnosis stories on tonight's special episode of Channel 4's Gogglebox.
The Prime Minister is appearing on the programme, alongside Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotherham, as part of the Stand Up To Cancer charity campaign.
The two Labour politicians are seen giving their reactions to what they are watching on TV from inside Downing Street.
A clip of the programme, which airs in full at 9.05pm this evening, shows the duo - as well as other famous faces such as Stanley Tucci, Paul Whitehouse, Joe Lycett and the Sugababes - watching emotional cancer stories.
One film focuses on the story of Callum who was 15 years old when he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.
Another film focuses on the story of Shona, who was diagnosed with cervical cancer, and her husband Will, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
An emotional Andy Burnham is seen reacting to 'devastating' cancer diagnosis stories on tonight's special episode of Channel 4's Gogglebox
Felicity Blunt, the wife of Stanley Tucci who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017, says: 'It's so weird, because obviously we went thought that whole diagnosis with you'
Reacting to the stories, the PM says: 'I just couldn't imagine' and 'it's devastating for that family'.
Mr Burnham adds: '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's been such big progress on them.
'But it's utter devastation isn't it, if you're that couple I don't know how you cope with that.'
Felicity Blunt, the wife of American actor Tucci who was diagnosed with throat cancer in 2017, says to her husband: 'It's so weird, because obviously we went through that whole diagnosis with you.'
Lenny Rush, the British actor, says: 'What a brave family – all of them.' Sitting next to him, comedian Whitehouse adds: 'She's extraordinary, to have that positive outlook'.
Mr Burnham is the first PM to appear on Gogglebox. A teaser for the programme introduces him and Mr Rotherham as 'good friends Andy and Steve'.
It also reveals the PM offering Mr Rotherham a beer and crisps, with Mr Burnham heard saying: 'I've got Skips, pork scratchings, Twiglets. Twiglets are probably the best aren't they?'
The show's regulars are appearing on Friday's special version of the programme, as well as the PM and a number of celebrities.
Mr Burnham is not the first Labour leader to appear on Gogglebox, with Jeremy Corbyn having taken part in a 2017 charity version.
The veteran Left-wing MP teamed up with actress Jessica Hynes, known for her role in BBC comedy W1A, for the show.
Mr Corbyn revealed his fondness for a coddled egg during the programme, as he criticised Nigella Lawson for the way she separated egg whites while watching the TV chef on screen.
Stanley Johnson, the father of former PM Boris Johnson, and Alastair Campbell, Tony Blair's former spin chief, are other political figures to have also previously appeared on Gogglebox.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage appeared on a spin-off programme with former Gogglebox stars Steph and Dom Parker when he was in charge of UKIP in 2014.
Stand Up To Cancer is a joint national fundraising campaign from Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.
Gogglebox for Stand Up To Cancer is on Channel 4 tonight at 9.05pm.