Jason Manford quits One Show after further tabloid stories
Jason Manford has quit his presenting job on The One Show, the BBC's flagship daily TV magazine programme, after further tabloid stories about his personal life have emerged.
The Sun newpaper's front page story today claims that the stand-up comedian 'betrayed his wife with steamy chats to 12 girls on Twitter, and video calls on Skype'. This story follows the report published a fortnight ago in which fan Debra McNamee said she and Manford had exchanged 'sleazy sex messages' via the social networking website Twitter (full story).
Manford announced his decision to quit the BBC One programme in a statement which read: "I have decided, after careful consideration, to stand back from The One Show to concentrate on my family."
The 29-year-old took over presenting The One Show five months ago, when Adrian Chiles moved to ITV. The job reportedly pays him around £100,000 a year, and the programme regularly attracts over 4m viewers. The One Show will not be broadcasting tonight because of Children In Need, but Jason Manford's name has already been removed from next week's listings. It is expected that ex-Blue Peter presenter Matt Baker will take his place on the sofa.
The Sun newspaper is today running an exclusive interview with the comedian, in which the star admits to the allegations. Securing a 'confession interview' is a common tabloid tactic, and is likely to save Manford further embarrassment because the paper has taken the decision to only hint at what occurred: 'Jason confessed to gaining sexual satisfaction during sessions in his hotel rooms on Skype.'
In the interview with reporter Gordon Smart, the Mancunian confessed to spending 'hours in hotel rooms in conversation with scantily-clad female fans.' The comedian said: "There were ten or 12 people flirting and then with a few it went over the line. We would start off flirty, then innuendo and then a bit saucy. They were the moments I thought, 'I shouldn't be saying that'. It was just nice to have some interaction I suppose. But the next morning I would wake up and think, 'F***. Oh my God'. I don't drink or do drugs, so it's not like I've those to blame - just my own stupidity."
Catherine Manford is due to give birth to their third child next month. The pair married last year, and the couple have twin daughters aged one.
Jason said: "We have had a serious sit-down about it and agreed that what we've got is worth fighting for. She's fine and we're fine. The kids are fine. We've got another one in three weeks. She hasn't kicked me out."
"I held my hands up. I showed her all the messages. I said, 'This is what's happened' and she was disappointed. But the relationship we have is not about, 'Right, get out!' or 'You're on the couch'. I don't feel any less of a dad but I still feel I've let them down. I just hope they never find out. I hope we can move on."
"My wife texted me today to say, 'Me and you are fine. We are dealing with it'. I am upset that I have disappointed people. Everyone makes mistakes."
Manford will now be concentrating on his comedy career. He is currently on a year-long stand-up tour, is set to record another series of Channel 4's 8 Out Of 10 Cats on which he is a team captain, and he is also due to host a full-series of ITV1's new music and stand-up show Comedy Rocks early next year.
To read the full interview with Manford see thesun.co.uk