Media
Purnell
He was a special adviser to former culture secretary Chris Smith and a researcher under Tessa Jowell when she took over the department.
Burnham is also a close friend and ally of Purnell who leaves to succeed Peter Hain at the Department of Work and Pensions.
Burnham said it was "a fantastic time" to take up his new post because of the 2012 Olympics, "the thriving cultural and arts sector in the country" and because his family's home city, Liverpool, is this year's European City of Culture.
He added: "Anybody who knows me knows that I will put my heart and soul into this job.
"I would like to pay full tribute to my good friend James Purnell who has made a real impact here and I will be very much picking up where James left off."
He entered Parliament in 2001 and like Purnell is known as a Blairite and committed moderniser. They are both in their 30s and considered to be future contenders for the Labour leadership.
It is not yet known whether Burnham will assume control of broadcasting issues as Purnell did.
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