BBC viewers were stunned to see a sign language interpreter with a rather distinctive face translating for Prime Minister Andy Burnham this week.
The ‘stunt double’ for the former Manchester Mayor was signing along to a BBC News programme featuring an interview between the PM and the corporation’s political editor Chris Mason.
The interpreter had short black hair styled like Andy Burnham’s own, black thick-rimmed glasses and dark eyebrows.
He also wore an almost identical black suit and white shirt, and even a similarly coloured tie.
‘Impressive work from BBC News finding Andy Burnham’s sign-language stunt double,’ said one X user, highlighting the coincidence.
Other users were quick to jump on the similarities, with one quipping: ‘Always have to have a back up plan for being PM in the UK.’
A second joked: ‘That’s the big difference. Unlike Putin, Andy Burnham will be totally upfront when he uses a body double!’
But the Mail can reveal that despite the strong resemblance to the PM, the interpreter is actually one Matthew Banks, a professional interpreter and lawyer.
BBC viewers were stunned to see sign language interpreter Matthew Banks, who has a rather distinctive face, translating for Prime Minister Andy Burnham this week
Viewers said Mr Banks has an uncanny resemblance to the Prime Minister and joked he was his ‘stunt double’
Mr Banks is now a lawyer after spending two decades interpreting full time
Mr Banks grew up with two deaf parents, and graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in law and went on to complete an MA in interpreting British Sign Language (BSL).
He previously worked as an advocate and full-time BSL interpreter for two decades.
In 2023, he began a pupillage at Garden Court Chambers in central London.
Mr Banks has also helped co-ordinate the Deaf Legal Network, a space set up to help deaf people overcome barriers in gaining access to legal services.
Several weeks ago, Mr Banks was interpreting on a separate BBC News programme when he enthusiastically signed a word involving a gesture in front of his face.
In a clip posted online, he accidentally caught his own glasses, knocking them from his face so they were left dangling from one ear.
Professional Mr Banks was unfazed by the mishap however – simply removing them in one movement and continuing to interpret as before.
