JASON'S BACK IN THE HOOD

DIANNE BOURNE TALKS TO JASON MANFORD ABOUT HIS HECTIC SCHEDULE, HIS ROYAL VARIETY SHOW SPOT, HEALTHY LIVING, AND HIS MAGICAL DOUBLE ACT WITH PANTO PAL BEN NICKLESS

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T tells you something about quite how busy Jason Manford is right now, that when he announced at the weekend he was leaving his popular Absolute Radio Sunday show after eight years, among the hundreds of gutted messages from fans was one saying: “I am actually relieved to hear that you are giving up something - you work yourself far too hard”.

The comedian, actor, singer, quiz show host, padel devotee and soon-to-be-former-radio host has fingers in so many pies it’s perhaps only a surprise that one hasn’t broken off before now.

When I mention that he appears to be the busiest man in showbiz right now, Jason chuckles: “Always busy, always busy,” before adding: “Do you know what, one day no one will want me, so you've got to take it while you can haven’t you?”

It's an ethos that has certainly seen Jason’s star catapult into the ascendancy in recent years. The Salford-born, Stockport-raised funny man has become a modern day everyman - A Manford All Seasons is the name of his ongoing comedy tour and it couldn’t be more fitting for his life right now.

He's as comfortable hosting a daytime quiz show as entertaining the Royal Family as he so effortlessly did as host of The Royal Variety Performance for the first time last week at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

Pictures of the slimmed-down Jason (more on his health kick later) in his smart black tie at the event led to many calling for him to be the next James Bond - as if he could somehow find the time to fit that in his schedule as well.

Fans will get to see him in action when The Royal Variety Performance is screened on December 17 on ITV, although spoiler alert, we get to see him don his pantomime tights during the show, as well as have a sing song in a brilliant panto skit alongside some of the nation’s favourite stars.