Andy Burnham 'fears becoming a meme on Twitter' in charity ballroom dance

Andy Burnham says he fears becoming a 'meme on Twitter' as he prepares to take to the ballroom dancefloor for a charity competition.

And the mayor of Greater Manchester says that when it comes to dancing, he's more like Bez from the Happy Mondays than fellow politician Ed Balls, who famously took part in BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing in 2016.

Mr Burnham is one of nine celebrity figures taking part in a charity ballroom dance competition on April 20 to raise funds for ex-Leeds Rhinos rugby league legend Rob Burrow's charities. He was diagnosed with the life-limiting illness motor neurone disease four years ago.

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Political heavyweight Andy, 54, says he has two aims as he performs a salsa on the hallowed floors of the Wembley of ballroom - Blackpool's Winter Gardens.

"I don’t want to fall over or drop my partner," he laughs. "That’s my worst fear. My wife Marie-France laughs every time we talk about me doing this. My kids are unsure what to expect too but I fully expect to make Ed Balls look good."

Married dad-of-three Andy says he has new respect for his former colleague and Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer Balls, now a TV presenter. He hasn’t hit up the former Labour MP for advice yet, but thinks he might, reports The Mirror.

Balls achieved infamy when he performed racy moves in a salsa to Psy’s Gangnam Style while Andy will do the same saucy dance with professional dancer Cara Tighe to Ricky Martin’s Livin' La Vida Loca.

Asked who his dance style was reminiscent of, Andy muses: "Definitely not Ed!" When Hollywood star Fred Astaire was suggested, he retorts: “I’m more like Bez from Happy Mondays."

Maraca-shaking Bez is best known for his bizarre dance style - described as `boggle-eyed and freaky’ with his Manchester rock band.

Andy reveals: "I’ve never danced before and if I get through the routine still standing then that’s a 10 for me."

When asked how he thinks he will look in Lycra or sequins, he groans: “I’ve no idea what I am wearing. Not becoming a meme on Twitter would be a victory for me! I fully expect to be bottom of the winner’s list and some humiliation, I just hope it’s not total.”

"I’ve faced some tough moments in my political career but this salsa is up there - I’m so far out of my comfort zone that my heart races just talking about it. I am only doing it as it is for such a good cause."

Lifelong rugby league fan Andy was asked by dad-of-three Rob if he would take part in the event - with his fundraiser page here. EX-GB and England star Rob, of Castleford, was diagnosed with the rare illness in December 2019.

Cells in the brain and nerves, called motor neurones, gradually stop working. The former athlete, 41, can no longer talk, walk or feed himself yet his brain remains as sharp as ever. MND is not yet curable but medication can delay death. Six people a day are diagnosed with it and six daily die from it.

Since diagnosis, Rob, his family and best mate, ex-Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield, have worked tirelessly to raise awareness and more than £8million for MND charities, some of which will go to build a new centre for fellow sufferers in Leeds.

"It is a much neglected and underfunded illness. I have been so moved by how Rob and his loved ones have put themselves out there to work for the greater good.

"I spent many hours watching Rob play - he was superb - and I am more than happy to subject myself to a few minutes of humiliation for him!" says Andy, who has had to miss one of his six-hour-long training sessions due to an ankle injury playing football.

Currently campaigning in the mayoral elections, he is also facing a `War of the Roses’ competition on the dance floor with Tracy Brabin, Mayor of Yorkshire: "Tracy tells me she was a ‘West Yorkshire Disco Dancing Champion’ in the 1980s, so I don’t fancy my chances! All I can say is I will be a gracious loser!" as he goes off to limber up.

The Burrow Strictly Ball starring Andy, TV presenter Sam Nixon, comedian Billy Pearce and ex-Real Housewife of Cheshire Leanne Brown, and hosted by the BBC’s Sally Nugent and Helen Skelton, is at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on April 20. To buy tickets, which include a three-course-meal and cost £111.75, contact burrowstrictlyball@gmail.com, or visit wintergardensblackpool.co.uk