An Andy Burnham sign language interpreter caught BBC viewers’ attention after appearing to bear an uncanny resemblance to the Prime Minister during a BBC News interview.
Matthew Banks was interpreting as Mr Burnham spoke to the BBC’s political editor, Chris Mason. His short black hair, thick-rimmed glasses and dark eyebrows closely matched the politician’s appearance.
Mr Banks was also dressed in a similar black suit, white shirt and tie, prompting viewers to joke that the BBC had found a “stunt double” for the Prime Minister.
“Impressive work from BBC News finding Andy Burnham’s sign-language stunt double,” one user wrote on X.
Another joked: “Always have to have a back up plan for being PM in the UK.” A second compared the situation with Vladimir Putin’s reported use of body doubles, writing: “That’s the big difference. Unlike Putin, Andy Burnham will be totally upfront when he uses a body double!”
Who is Andy Burnham’s sign language interpreter?
Mr Banks is a professional interpreter and lawyer who grew up with two deaf parents. He studied law at the University of Cambridge before completing a master’s degree in British Sign Language interpreting.
He spent two decades working as a full-time BSL interpreter and advocate. In 2023, he began a pupillage at Garden Court Chambers in central London.
Mr Banks has also helped co-ordinate the Deaf Legal Network, which was established to help deaf people overcome barriers to accessing legal services.
His work on BBC News has previously produced another memorable moment. Several weeks ago, he was interpreting a programme when a gesture involving his face accidentally caught his glasses, knocking them askew so they dangled from one ear.
He remained composed, removed the glasses in a single movement and continued interpreting.
