He might have appeared on TV's Gogglebox with the Prime Minister – but Steve Rotherham has now joined a campaign against Whitehall cuts to the science budget.
The Liverpool City Region mayor is among those warning Andy Burnham and Chancellor John Healey against 'irreparable damage' to the UK's science capabilities.
Mr Rotherham is among signatories to an open letter, addressed to Mr Healey ahead of his Budget this week, that also include physicist Brian Cox and other top scientists.
The letter expresses 'deep concern' about a review of funding, which has forced substantial savings on the Science and Technologies Facilities Council (STFC).
STFC, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), is said to be facing cuts to programmes including 30 per cent on nuclear, particle physics and astronomy.
This is said to be putting hundreds of science jobs at risk and threatening the future of world-leading UK science sites, including the Jodrell Bank observatory.
Jodrell Bank is home to the UK's largest telescope, the Lovell telescope, which has stood in Cheshire since 1957.
Since becoming PM, Mr Burnham has pledged to find a way to save the telescope with the Government said to be 'exploring' long-term options to secure its future.
Steve Rotherham, the Liverpool City Region mayor, is a long-time ally of Andy Burnham and appeared on Channel 4's Gogglebox with the PM last week
Jodrell Bank is home to the UK's largest telescope, the Lovell telescope, which has stood in Cheshire since 1957
In the open letter, organised by the Prospect union, the signatories told Mr Healey that the proposed cuts were putting at risk the PM's pledge of 'good growth in every postcode'.
They wrote: 'We are writing to you due to our deep concern about proposed budget cuts in the Particle Physics, Astronomy and Nuclear area of the STFC, and more widely across the environmental science funded by UKRI.
'These cuts, driven by rising energy bills and other factors, risk seriously undermining the world-leading science the UK does in these areas, as well as damaging the Government's vision of a reindustrialised Britain with good growth in every postcode.
'We welcome the PM's call for the UK to become an 'innovation nation', but do not understand how scaling back cutting-edge science work is compatible with that aim.
'The situation at Jodrell Bank has captured the public imagination, but this is the tip of the iceberg for these cuts.'
They added: 'If these cuts go ahead, they will cause lasting and possibly irreparable damage to the UK's scientific capabilities.'
The signatories urged the Chancellor to use his Budget on Wednesday to 'provide the funding necessary to avert these cuts pending a full economic impact assessment, so that this issue can be reassessed in the next Spending Review'.
Sue Ferns, senior deputy general secretary of Prospect, said: 'The Chancellor and PM have set an admirable ambition to be an 'innovation nation' but seem to have completely overlooked the catastrophic damage these proposed cuts will do to our capability in this area.
'These cuts were announced under the previous PM with no economic impact assessment and will be a clear barrier to growth, research capability and our intellectual standing in the world which is already being questioned.
'The breadth of support for our letter from Britain's science community shows just how important this is.
'As well as seeking growth, the Budget is a clear chance to show that this country is still serious about leading the world in science.'
As well as Mr Rotherham – a long-time ally of Mr Burnham who appeared on Channel 4's Gogglebox with the PM last week – and Dr Cox, the other signatories to the letter include Lord John Krebs, the Emeritus Royal Society Research Professor; Professor Catherine Heymans, Astronomer Royal for Scotland; and Professor Liz Bentley, chief executive of the Royal Meteorological Society.
Jodrell Bank had a pioneering role in the development of radio astronomy. Its work in tracking spacecraft in the early space race, and its research into quasars, pulsars and gravitational lenses, is also part of its outstanding scientific heritage.
The site has evidence of every stage of the history of radio astronomy, from its emergence as a new science in the 1940s through to the present day.
In September, Mr Burnham promised to find a way to save the Lovell telescope, which is the world's third largest steerable radio telescope.
He told MPs: 'Every one of my generation went on a school trip to Jodrell Bank and there is no way that we can see its demise, and it won't happen under my Government.'
'I know there's changes that have been made in relation to research funding but Jodrell Bank is a heritage asset for the country, as well as a research asset.'
A Downing Street spokeswoman told reporters on Monday: 'Jodrel Bank has a secure future and is not closing.
'It will continue to host a range of scientific work and research led by the University of Manchester, alongside serving as the headquarters for the Square Kilometre Array Observatory, which is a global partnership building the world's largest and most powerful radio telescope.'
A Government spokesperson said: 'We are already taking bold steps to support innovation across the UK.
'Through our approach, the British public and our scientific community will feel the maximum impact of our support for R&D projects across the country - all backed by a record £86billion investment.
'UKRI are focused on ensuring its £38.6billion share of that support is delivering maximum value for money for taxpayers, while ensuring innovative firms can attract investment and access international markets as they grow.'