Jason Manford Considers Coronation Street Role Amid Comedy Drive
Jason Manford, the acclaimed comedian and actor, has opened up about his interest in joining the cast of Coronation Street, describing it as "silly not to" consider such a move. The 44-year-old star, known for his work on shows like QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats, also emphasised that his life away from the spotlight remains "very normal," centred around family activities like watching television and playing board games.
Balancing Showbiz with a Normal Family Life
Married to Lucy Dyke and father to six children—two with his current wife and four with his ex-wife Catherine—Manford rarely discusses his personal matters publicly. However, in a recent interview, he shared insights into how he unwinds from his hectic career. "We chill out, we watch telly, we play board games, we're just a normal family really, except sometimes dad's on the telly!" he told The Mirror, highlighting the simplicity of his home life despite his fame.
Acting Career and Soap Opera Ambitions
Beyond stand-up comedy, Manford has built a respected acting portfolio, including a role as headteacher Steve Savage on the BBC drama Waterloo Road in 2024. He is also set to appear in the UK premiere of Something Rotten! later this year. Over the years, he has been in talks with major soaps such as EastEnders and Emmerdale, but Coronation Street holds a special appeal due to its setting in Weatherfield, a fictional town based on his hometown of Salford near Manchester.
Manford explained his cautious approach: "There's been a few conversations with them all. With Coronation Street, it would be silly not to at some point. I guess 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 added that timing is key, and he remains open to opportunities while ensuring any role aligns with the show's integrity.
Comedy Campaign to Lift Nation's Spirits
In a separate initiative, Manford has partnered with Cheez-It to launch the Comedy Credit Service, aiming to spread laughter across the UK. This campaign comes after research revealed that 81% of Londoners are in need of a laugh, with the city topping a list of areas most in need of cheer. The Chuckle Chart, part of the campaign, identified Liverpool as the "funniest" city in the UK, with one in six people naming it the place most likely to elicit laughter.
Other cities in the top ten include Glasgow, London, Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Brighton. Alarmingly, 14% of respondents admitted they could not recall the last time they laughed, underscoring the campaign's relevance during February, often deemed the most depressing month of the year.
Spreading Joy and Humour Nationwide
Manford expressed his enthusiasm for the campaign, noting, "February can feel like the longest, gloomiest month of the year, and with London revealed as the city most in need of a laugh, it made sense to hit the capital's streets and spread a bit of joy." He also commented on the prevalence of northern cities in the top ten, attributing it to a resilient sense of humour: "When the weather's that bad, you either laugh or cry, and we've clearly chosen laughter."
Rui Frias, Senior Marketing Manager at Cheez-It, added, "We know comfort comes in all shapes and sizes—a shared laugh, or a much-needed escape from the February slump. That's why we've packed our prize pot with joy-boosters designed to brighten even the greyest day." The campaign offers prizes such as Comedy Night In bundles and Cheer Up Kits, aiming to foster a bolder, funnier, and cheesier atmosphere across Britain.
Through his dual focus on potential soap roles and comedy advocacy, Jason Manford continues to blend his professional ambitions with a mission to uplift the public mood, proving that humour remains a vital part of everyday life.
