Jason Manford is one of the country’s best-loved comedians and also has an acclaimed career acting on both stage and screen, but he has insisted that his life is all “very normal” away from showbiz
Jason Manford has insisted that his life is “very normal” away from showbiz. The comedian, 44, is married to Lucy Dyke and has two children with her as well as four with his ex-wife Catherine .
While the TV star – known for his mammoth presenting career across shows like QI, 8 Out Of 10 Cats, and The Answer Run – is normally very private about his personal matters, he has now made some rare comments on family life.
Asked how he manages to switch off from the hectic nature of his career, he told The Mirror: “We chill out, we watch telly, we play board games, we’re just a normal family really, except sometimes dad’s on the telly!”
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As well as his stand-up work, Jason has also enjoyed an acclaimed acting career, and in 2024, he enjoyed a stint as headteacher Steve Savage on the BBC drama Waterloo Road.
But Jason, who also has a massive career in theatre and is due to appear in the UK premiere of Something Rotten! later this year, has revealed that he has actually been in talks with the country’s biggest soaps including EastEnders and Emmerdale over the years for a part.
However, he would especially like a part in Coronation Street, the world’s longest-running TV soap that is all set in Weatherfield, a fictional town based on Jason’s hometown of Salford near Manchester, although there are a few conditions that bosses would have to meet if they wanted to sign him up.
He said: “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.
“So it’s just waiting for that time, really. I’ll always keep my eyes peeled and my hands open, certainly. But it’s all just timing.”
Ever the funnyman, Jason has now teamed up with Cheez-It and recently hit the streets of London after research found a staggering 81% of people in the city were in need of a laugh. But the campaign also launched the Chuckle Chart, which found that Liverpool was the “funniest” city in the UK, with with one in six people naming it the place most likely to give them a laugh.
Glasgow , London, Newcastle and Birmingham made up the rest of the top five, whilst Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh, Leeds, and Brighton filled out the top ten. However, a striking 14% of people asked sadly admitted they couldn’t remember the last time they had a laugh.
To help cheer up the country this February, in what has been deemed the most depressing month of the year, Jason and Cheez-It are aiming to give Brits an unexpected laugh with the Comedy Credit Service- and prizes are even up for grabs.
He said: “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.
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“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. I had a brilliant time bringing some smiles to London, and there’s even more of a chance for the UK to get their laughter fix thanks to some hilarious Comedy Credits from Cheez-It.
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, from ‘Comedy Night In’ bundles to mini ‘Cheer Up Kits’ and even laughter yoga.
“And because we’re proudly pro-cheese in every sense, it’s brilliant to see just how much humour matters to people right now. Britain’s famous for its dry sarcasm and razor‑sharp wit — and while the North may still claim the crown, we’re hoping a few belly laughs (and a few handfuls of Cheez-It) can help spread the joy nationwide. After all, life feels better when it’s a little bolder, a little funnier… and a lot cheesier.”
Jason Manford took to the streets of London with Cheez-It to lift the nation’s mood and launch the ‘Comedy Credit Service’ to give Brits a much-needed laugh. Missed Jason? Head to @cheezit_uki on Instagram
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