As previously reported, Andy Burnham has replaced James Purnell as culture secretary, after the latter took on the role of minister for work and pensions. But who is Andy Burnham?

The Liverpool-born son of a telephone engineer, Burnham joined the Labour Party aged 14 in 1984, and 10 years later became a researcher for Tessa Jowell. In 1998, he became and advisor to the then culture secretary, Chris Smith.

In 2001, Burnham won the safe Labour seat in Leigh, Greater Manchester. As an MP, he fulfilled a number of roles, including parliamentary private secretary to David Blunkett and minister of state at the Department of Health.

Burnham is a keen Everton supporter and plays football for the Commons team, and sport (particularly football) has been the centre of his publications to date: Football in the Digital Age and Supporters Direct – The changing face of the football business.

Jennie Price, chief executive of Sport England, said: “We welcome the appointment of Andy Burnham MP as the new Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. We know he is a strong supporter of sport and we look forward to working with him to further enhance community sport in England.”