Many individuals have disastrous blind date tales, however I doubt they’re in the identical league as Andy Burnham’s spouse’s expertise.
You see, Marie-France van Heel, or Frankie to her mates, did not go on a blind date; she went on THE Blind Date.
As within the TV program offered by the one and solely Cilla Black. So how did this occur?
Nicely, 24 years in the past, when Frankie and the longer term King within the North first began relationship at Cambridge College, she had a request for her new boyfriend.
She had been chosen for Blind Date and he or she wished his permission to look on the present.
Andy agreed – though he would later admit he was watching from behind the sofa – so Frankie went to the studio.
But when Andy was nervous, he needn’t be as Frankie in the end selected ‘Will from Surrey’, who wore blue dungarees and a crimson sweatshirt.
That is proper, he confirmed up dressed as Mario.
And it bought even worse once they began going by the traditional Blind Date questions.
When Frankie requested what he did within the bathe, Will replied, “I normally make up poems and brief tales.”
![TELEVISION PROGRAM: BLIND DATE Frankie [Marie-France] Burnham on Blind Date in 1992 with Cilla Black. 'Blind Date' TV - 1992 No merchandising. Editorial use only. Mandatory credits: Photo by ITV / Rex Features (736144f) Labor MP Andy Burnham married Marie-France van Heel in 2000 ITV/Shutterstock](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/AY_19217008-80fc-e1781951277611.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
After which, as if to show he wasn’t mendacity, he shortly rhymed, “Oh Frankie, oh Frankie, your identify’s kinda grumpy, decide me on your Blind Date, and there will not be any hanky-panky.”
Hardly Shakespeare, proper? It is hardly even William McGonagall.
Nonetheless, issues solely bought worse when she requested: ‘What would you do for those who have been my first introduction to British males?’ To which he replied: ‘You give me half an hour and I provides you with one of the best time of your life.’
Charming.
Anyway, they then traveled to Gibraltar for his or her date, and the state of affairs didn’t enhance.
Throughout filming, Frankie might be seen telling Will to “look enticing” as he posed for a photograph.
After they lastly bought again to the studio, Will and Frankie did not appear to be having a superb time. Will even referred to as Frankie a “chilly fish,” to which she responded by telling him to “fuck off” and throwing a pillow at him.
Nonetheless, all’s effectively that ends effectively, and eight years after her disastrous blind date, she married Andy.
However there’s one closing twist on this story. What occurred to Wil? Nicely, Andy is aware of him.
“My spouse and I’ve been collectively for 25 years, however within the early days she was on Blind Date,” he stated [via The Mirror].
‘She was the picker, and to make issues worse, she picked Will from Surrey, who ultimately grew to become director of communications for the Conservative Social gathering.’
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