𝐴𝑛𝑑𝑦 𝐵𝑢𝑟𝑛ℎ𝑎𝑚 close to tears live on This Morning days after replacing 𝑆𝑡𝑎𝑟𝑚𝑒𝑟
Andy Burnham emotional as he talks about his father on This Morning
Andy Burnham became visibly emotional during an appearance on This Morning. The former Greater Manchester mayor joined presenters Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary on Wednesday’s edition, just days after replacing Sir Keir Starmer.
The prime minister struggled to speak when the discussion turned to his beloved father, Roy Burnham, who has Alzheimer’s, does not know that his son has become the next prime minister. He previously told The Times that his father was unaware that he took office ten days ago. “That’s a sadness because he would be [proud],” the prime minister said. “The way I look at it, it’s his achievement as well. A whole family achievement although he doesn’t know it.”
During the ITV show, Burnham had spoken about his plans for adult social care across England, based on his own experience of meeting carers for his father, who is living with Alzheimer’s.
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Andy Burnham fought back tears during an appearance on This Morning (Image: ITV)
When Alison and Dermot enquired about his dad’s wellbeing, Burnham responded: “He’s ok.” He added: “He’s well looked after in the place that he is.”
Alison said that his father must be “so proud”, remarking: “He must be so proud of you now, look at you now, on This Morning,” while Dermot interjected: “And being Prime Minister!”
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Burnham continued: “He would… I don’t know if he knows, obviously. The care home staff said something wonderful to me at the weekend.
“They said, on the day that I went to Downing Street, they got him right in front of the television, and a few of them said, ‘Look Roy, look’.”
The prime minister fought back tears, as he admitted: “It makes me a bit emotional. I was with my mum and I was talking to my mum, talking about my dad a little bit.”
Burnham looked visibly emotional during the heartfelt moment.
Offering her sympathy, Alison responded: “They’re our everything, our parents are our core values, they are our everything.”
