Comedian Jason Manford has been forced to cancel four shows on his UK tour after undergoing emergency surgery for appendicitis. The 44-year-old was due to perform in Hertfordshire last Thursday as part of his A Manford All Seasons tour but was taken to hospital after developing the painful condition.
Manford shared updates from his hospital bed over the weekend, praising NHS staff and his mother, a nurse. He posted a photo of himself enjoying a midnight snack of pepperoni and pineapple pizza, joking about the ordeal. He also shared a heartwarming picture of his parents, Sharon and Ian, by his bedside.
Despite the setback, Manford remained upbeat, revealing he was en route to a family holiday via ferry after being advised not to fly. “I will not be defeated!” he wrote on Instagram, alongside a photo from a ferry cabin. “Might not be able to fly to Portugal but what about this ferry! On it ⛴️ it’s only 33 hours.”
Fellow comedian John Bishop stepped in to cover Manford’s slot at Kendal Calling festival on Sunday. In a video, Bishop said: “He’s asked me if I’m free and I am, so I’m going to step up and fill Jason’s boots.”
Manford expressed regret over missing shows in St Albans, Oxford, Lincoln and Skegness, all of which have been rescheduled. The Hertfordshire performance will now take place on 20 October 2025, with other dates moved to later this year and early 2026.
