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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Katherine Heslop

Make Me Prime Minister viewers delighted as Jackie Weaver debuts on Channel 4 show

Viewers were delighted when they realised Channel 4's new show Make Me Prime Minister includes a blast from lockdown past- internet sensation Jackie Weaver.

Jackie went viral in February 2021 over a leaked video of her trying to referee a fractious gathering of Handforth Parish Council in Cheshire.

And now the council worker hopes to show she has what it takes to lead the country, by competing in Channel 4's new show.

Make Me Prime Minister sees a 12 hopefuls try to prove they could govern the country, as they're put through a series of tasks by former new Labour communications chief Alastair Campbell and House of Lords member Baroness Sayeeda Warsi.

Jackie Weaver is one of 12 contestants who believe they have what it takes to be Prime Minister (Channel 4)

During the now infamous Handforth Parish Council meeting, one member told Jackie: “You have no authority here, Jackie Weaver", and as she was introduced in tonight's episode, Jackie poked fun at the iconic line.

She told the cameras: "I do have the authority here."

Viewers shared their joy on Twitter at seeing Jackie again, although some seemed less enthusiastic.

One person wrote: "Been looking forward to Ch4's #MakeMePrimeMinister. The Apprentice meets politics. And it's got Jackie Weaver!"

Another said: "Well, I'd vote for Jackie Weaver. Job done! #MakeMePrimeMinister."

The contestants split up in Make Me Prime Minister to devise policies on education (Channel 4)

A third viewer penned: "I love the concept of #MakeMePrimeMinister, I also love that they got Jackie Weaver to take part."

A fifth Jackie fan said: "I'm only here for Jackie Weaver # MakeMePrimeMinister ."

One enthusiastic viewer said: "Awesome to see #JackieWeaver back on our screens! Seems like genuinely witty character."

There were some however who were less impressed with Jackie's presence.

One person said: "Think #MakeMePrimeMinister is the freshest, most imaginative TV show this year. I just wish Jackie Weaver wasn’t in it."

Another wrote: " #MakeMePrimeMinister Can we talk about the elephant in the room? Jackie Weaver? Hardly an unknown. Made "famous" by the ludicrously overrated Zoom call during lockdown."

In this evening's episode, the political hopefuls split into two teams and pitched policy ideas for primary school education, first to journalists and then to members of the public.

Darius, who served as prime minister in his team, was given the chop after he lost to Natalie during the audience vote.

Jackie was not a huge present in tonight's episode, but we did see the surprise of her fellow contestants when they recognised her.

Baroness Warsi and Alastair Campbell are the judges on Make Me Prime Minister (Channel 4)

Jackie emerged as the unlikely hero of the unruly parish council meeting, which was held on December 10 in 2020 to discuss local planning and environment issues.

She kicked three members out of the meeting, including the chairman, when tempers flared - prompting some to describe the car crash assembly as "British comedy gold".

In October, Jackie backed a move to clean up politics, throwing her support behind a petition from think-thank Compassion in Politics, to ban lying in politics.

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