Andy Burnham joked he would “be alright at the Budget” next week as he became the first Prime Minister to appear on Channel 4’s Gogglebox.
The Prime Minister also quipped that “the King will be pleased with me” after he correctly answered a question about the royal household while watching quiz show Only Connect as part of the episode.
Filmed drinking a pint of beer and sitting alongside his close friend Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram on a sofa, he counted a series of numbers while trying to guess one of the puzzles.
“I’ll be alright at the Budget, me,” he joked.
“Thank God that somebody can count,” Mr Rotheram replied.
Mr Burnham has defended his appearance on the episode after opposition critics accused him of dodging more serious issues.
The Prime Minister said he would “make no apology” for trying to “lead with a bit of lightness” after Tory leader Kemi Badenoch questioned how he had the time to take part in the show.
He said he was “proud” to support Stand Up To Cancer, the charity highlighted in Friday’s episode.
The programme interspersed the stories of people diagnosed with cancer, which the Prime Minister described as “utter devastation”, with snippets from recent TV shows.
Watching a clip from Only Connect, Mr Burnham guessed correctly that the answer to a question about an office in the royal household was “Warden of the Swans”.
“The King will be pleased with me,” he joked.
Later, reacting to a story about a young family dealing with the aftermath of cancer, he said: “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.”
Mr Burnham also watched snippets from an episode of the BBC’s The Celebrity Traitors.
Asked for his assessment, he said: “Well, obviously, I would say that politicians have got a lot to offer to those who are looking for tactics in relation to The Traitors.”
Mr Burnham, who seized power from Sir Keir Starmer after plotting to be prime minister for more than a year, added: “I think we can spot faithfuls and traitors a mile off.
“Our profession teaches us to do that, but it’s a great programme.
“It’s a great example of how strong British broadcasting is, and of course the BBC.”
Mr Burnham is no stranger to light-hearted media appearances.
He has ranked pub snacks in a video alongside Chancellor John Healey and has been quizzed about his career while on a stepladder for a separate clip.
Friday’s episode also featured actor Stanley Tucci, comedian Joe Lycett and the Sugababes.
Speaking to the Press Association earlier, Mrs Badenoch questioned the Prime Minister’s decision to take part in the show while he had other commitments to attend to.
Referring to the Government’s advice to the public to stockpile food, water and other essentials to prepare for possible emergencies in the future, she said: “I don’t mind them giving advice.
“I worry that between the Prime Minister being on Gogglebox and then talking about stockpiling canned goods, they’re not actually doing the really difficult stuff that will protect the country.”
