Jason Manford

Review: Scarborough

When Scarborough was announced, it seemed to have a lot in common with creator Derren Litten's long-running hit Benidorm, being set in a seaside resort town with a cast of working-class characters united by a love of karaoke. But they show two very different iterations of the same broad premise.

TV review: Scarborough series 1 episode 1

Perhaps it will improve as it goes along, and it certainly has a strong cast who all turn in great performances. But elements of it feel a bit too cartoonish (Bigsy and Karen's workmates especially), the majority of the cruder jokes feel like the kind of thing that's been done countless times before, and the more dramatic parts just didn't work for me, so unless I start to hear that it's suddenly become enormously funnier it's something I won't be bothering with again.

Benidorm's creator, Derren Litten, turns his attention to another legendary seaside destination, one where life revolves around karaoke night in the local pub. After a few relationship wobbles, hairdresser Karen (ex-Corrie and future Strictly star Catherine Tyldesley) and arcade manager Mike (Jason Manford) are trying to make a go of it. Manford does a bit of karaoke crooning - because of course he does - but elsewhere the writing is both warm and wicked, while Claire Sweeney brings some powerful energy as the local man-eater.

Scarborough is missing one key element - humour

Even the most forgiving audience will struggle to laugh at a flat Jimmy Saville gag.

Jason Manford recalls 'terrifying' road rage incident

Jason Manford has claimed he was the victim of a "terrifying" road rage ordeal that saw him chased for 80 miles by an angry motorist.

Review: Jason Manford at Latitude 2019

Whatever can be said about Jason Manford in a review can never match the devastating critique meted out by his own daughter through desperate tears after being punished for a tantrum. I can't repeat it, as it was the punchline to his entire Latitude set, but it's hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure.

Jason Manford helps dying mum pay off her mortgage

The comedian made a plea on his Facebook page asking people to donate to a fundraiser set up for Rachel Clements' three children.

Jason Manford accidentally shares address on Instagram

The comedian overshared while posting about his weight loss plan.

Jason Manford show evacuated as phone catches fire

The Lyric Theatre at the Lowry in Salford had to be emptied and the fire service called during the interval of comedian Jason Manford's show.