Comedian Jason Manford finds himself at the centre of a fan-led controversy after audiences discovered he's been reusing material from years past on his current 'Like Me' tour.
Fans took to social media to express their disappointment after recognising entire segments from his 2018 Netflix special and even earlier performances being presented as fresh material.
The Evidence Piles Up
One particularly damning comparison shows Manford delivering an almost identical routine about the differences between American and British attitudes. The bit, which discusses reactions to a spider sighting, appears virtually unchanged from his previous performances.
Another fan highlighted his recurring joke about the challenges of modern parenting versus previous generations, noting the material has been part of his act for several years.
Social Media Backlash
Twitter and Facebook became platforms for disappointed fans to share their findings. Many expressed frustration at paying for tickets only to hear recycled jokes, with some calling it "lazy" and "unprofessional."
One fan commented: "Love Jason, but hearing the same spider routine from three years ago felt like a bit of a rip-off."
A Common Industry Practice?
While some defended Manford, noting that many comedians refine and reuse material across tours, the scale of repetition caught many by surprise. The controversy raises questions about audience expectations for new content versus a performer's right to maintain successful material.
Manford, who recently appeared on BBC's Unbreakable with his brother, has yet to publicly address the allegations. The comedian continues his tour across the UK, though some are now questioning whether they'll get the fresh performance they expected.
