Andy Burnham's wife, Marie-France van Heel, known as Frankie, had a truly disastrous experience on the classic TV show Blind Date, hosted by Cilla Black. Twenty-four years ago, while dating Burnham at Cambridge University, she sought his permission to appear on the show. He agreed, though he later admitted to watching from behind the sofa.
The Blind Date Debacle
Frankie ended up selecting Will from Surrey, who arrived dressed in blue dungarees and a red sweatshirt, resembling Mario. The situation worsened during the classic Blind Date questions. When asked what he did in the shower, Will replied, 'I generally make up poems and short stories.' He then rhymed, 'Oh Frankie, oh Frankie, your name is quite cranky, pick me for your Blind Date, and there'll be no hanky-panky.'
When Frankie asked what he would do if he were her first taste of British men, he responded, 'You give me half an hour and I'll give you the best time of your life.'
Gibraltar Date Turns Sour
The couple traveled to Gibraltar for their date, where things did not improve. During filming, Frankie was seen telling Will to 'try and look attractive' while posing for a picture. Back in the studio, neither seemed pleased. Will called Frankie a 'cold fish,' to which she replied, 'f*** off,' and threw a pillow at him.
Happy Ending and a Twist
Eight years after the disastrous date, Frankie married Andy Burnham. However, there is a final twist: Will from Surrey later became the director of communications for the Conservative Party. Burnham noted, 'My wife and I have been together for 25 years, but in the early days she was on Blind Date. She was the picker, and to add insult to injury, she picked Will from Surrey, who ended up being the director of communications for the Conservative Party.'
