The ‘coolest girl in college’ – who is the woman behind Andy Burnham’s rise?
3 sources·Updated July 19, 2026
Covered by 3 sources
- Sky News Politics·4d agoHow Marie-France van Heel went from 'coolest girl in college' to a PM's wife
She went on Cilla Black's Blind Date, chose a man who became a Conservative Party official - and is now about to move into 10 Downing Street with Labour's new prime minister.
Read at Sky News Politics → - Daily Mail News·5d agoAndy Burnham's wife Marie-France Van Heel is set to be Britain's unofficial First Lady - but she is likely 'to keep a low profile once he's in No 10'
Nearly four decades after he wooed her over their mutual love of The Smiths, Marie-France Van Heel - or Frankie as she is known - on Monday becomes Britain's unofficial First Lady.
Read at Daily Mail News → - Irish Independent·5d agoThe ‘coolest girl in college’ – who is the woman behind Andy Burnham’s rise?
Marie-France van Heel, the mystery Dutch wife of incoming UK prime minister, once went on ‘Blind Date’ and was matched with a future Tory spin-doctor she ended up loathing
Read at Irish Independent →