Mr Burnham was joined by actor Hugh Grant and comedian Steve Coogan in the dying throes of the by-election campaign, as he said he was 'fighting on every front' to win.

Keir Starmer praised Andy Burnham as a 'fantastic asset' and said he wanted him to have a 'big role' in Government if he wins the Makerfield by-election tomorrow.

Who would have thought that this man, who was once a plain and rather uninspiring New Labour minister, would one day become the great hope against the darkness?