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Kemi Badenoch has hit out at Andy Burnham for appearing on Channel 4’s Gogglebox. The Conservative leader said she was “amazed” he had time to do it considering how busy the Prime Minister’s in-tray is.

She told BBC Breakfast that “even as a junior minister or as a secretary of state, I never had time to go on Gogglebox” and it “takes hours to do”. Mrs Badenoch was responding after Mr Burnham was revealed in the line-up of a celebrity episode of the show in aid of Stand Up To Cancer, which will air on Friday.

“I’m proud to support Stand Up To Cancer. I make no apology for trying to lead with a bit of lightness and at times a bit of humour, that’s the way I go at things,” Mr Burnham told the BBC.

The former Greater Manchester mayor will appear on the programme alongside friend Steve Rotheram, the Labour Mayor of the Liverpool City Region.

“It is always a moment in the annual calendar where we support Stand Up To Cancer through Gogglebox,” Mr Burnham said of the recurring charity special. “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.”

However, Mrs Badenoch – who visted Cheshire Constabulary on Friday – said appearing on the programme was “not my thing”.

“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.”

Describing Mr Burnham as “on social media all day”, she said she could do the same but “I wouldn’t actually be able to do my job as Leader of the Opposition”.

“My job is to hold him to account, and I’ve seen a lot of prime ministers up close, and I’ve never seen a prime minister have the time to do this much Goggleboxing, social media and LADbible,” she added.

The special Gogglebox edition airs on Channel 4 at 9.05pm.