Prime minister Andy Burnham became the first British leader to appear on Celebrity Gogglebox on Friday and fought back tears as he listened to stories of people affected by cancer.
The Channel 4 special for Stand Up To Cancer also featured other celebrities including Devil Wears Prada star Stanley Tucci, the Sugababes, and comedian Joe Lycett.
Mr Burnham was joined on the sofa by his friend Liverpool City mayor Steve Rotherham.
During the one-hour programme, the PM made jokes about Ed Balls, the forthcoming Budget, showcased his knowledge of the roles within the Royal household and bragged about being an English graduate.
Watching an episode of Only Connect, he recalled former shadow chancellor Ed Balls’ appearance on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.
“I just think of Ed Balls when I hear that,” Burnham said while listening to PSY’s “Gangnam Style”. “I don’t think I can ever get that image out of my mind. You can’t unsee it can you?”
He added: “When I hear this music [Strictly theme tune], I get a pang of anxiety. And I’ll tell you why, because I did this for the great Rob Burrow. Never, ever again.”
Answering questions about appointments in the Royal household, Burnham expressed confidence, saying: “I should get this”.
With the help of Mr Rotherham he answered questions on the titles (Warden of the Swans and Keeper of the Privy Purse) correctly.
“The King will be pleased with me when I see him for my audience next week,” he said. But he admitted he did not know who the Keeper of the Privy Purse was. “I should know that shouldn’t I?”
Working out a maths question on the same show, he joked: “I’ll be alright at the Budget.” Both Rotherham and Burnham drank a beer and ate crisps, including pork scratchings.
He showed a more sombre side and appeared to fight back tears hearing the story of 16-year-old Callum who died from a rare form of cancer.
However, politicians were unimpressed with his appearance with Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and a Green party councillor hitting out at Mr Burnham for choosing to appear on the show.
Ms Badenoch said she was “amazed” that he had time to do the programme.
"What I'm amazed at is that Andy Burnham has got time to go on Gogglebox," she said.
"When you get a new job in politics it's so difficult. There's so much to do and it's like drinking from a fire hose.
"Even as a junior minister or as a secretary of state I never had time to go on Gogglebox - I just don't know how he's got the time. Gogglebox takes hours to do."
Green Party councillor Florence Schecter called the appearance “ridiculous” in an interview on LBC. “Is that a really good use of his time?”
She said: “A third of British children are living in poverty and he’s going on Gogglebox.”
The sentiments were echoed online with several viewers making comments online including one person who called it a “cringeworthy stunt”. Others said that the programme was part of Mr Burnham’s role as a public figure.
The prime minister defended himself against the criticism telling BBC Radio 5 Live: "It is always a moment in the annual calendar where we support Stand Up To Cancer through Gogglebox. Steve and I are proud to do it. I'm trying to give the country a lift - trying to give the country some hope.
"That's always my approach and it's what I'm trying to do. It may not appeal to everybody when it comes to Gogglebox.
"It's Stand Up To Cancer night and I've always been somebody who puts my shoulder behind the fight against cancer."
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