Comedian Jason Manford has revealed he is open to joining the cast of Coronation Street, describing the prospect as “silly not to” consider. The 44-year-old, known for his stand-up and presenting work on shows such as QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats, said there have been “a few conversations” with the soap, as well as with EastEnders and Emmerdale over the years.
Manford, who recently played headteacher Steve Savage in BBC drama Waterloo Road, stressed that any role would need to be more than a gimmick. “It’s just making sure that it’s right, that it’s not a gimmick, and it’s a character or a storyline that would be worth doing, not just for me but for the show,” he told The Mirror. “I’ll always keep my eyes peeled and my hands open, certainly. But it’s all just timing.”
The Manchester-born comedian also offered a rare glimpse into his family life, describing it as “very normal” despite his showbiz career. Married to Lucy Dyke, with two children together and four from a previous marriage, Manford said: “We chill out, we watch telly, we play board games, we're just a normal family really, except sometimes dad's on the telly!”
Manford has also teamed up with snack brand Cheez-It for a campaign to lift spirits in February, which research suggests is the most depressing month of the year. A survey found that 81% of Londoners were in need of a laugh, prompting the comedian to hit the capital’s streets. The campaign also launched the Chuckle Chart, naming Liverpool the UK’s funniest city, followed by Glasgow, London, Newcastle and Birmingham.
“February can feel like the longest, gloomiest month of the year,” Manford said. “I’m not surprised to see so many northern cities in the top 10 funniest places – when the weather’s that bad, you either laugh or cry, and we’ve clearly chosen laughter.”
