Jason Manford

Christmas comedy memoirs roundup

Lee Evans, Johnny Vegas, Jason Manford and Simon Day all have books on the way.

While its antecedent, They Think It's All Over, managed to show the surprisingly sharp side of sporting figures such as David Gower and Steve Davis, A League Of Their Own merely plays down to expectations. Team captains Andrew Flintoff and Jamie Redknapp, though likable enough, aren't terribly interesting, leaving the burden of entertainment on James Corden and his interchangeable support staff of panel-show comics, which, for this fourth series, includes Jack Whitehall, Jason Manford and Lee Mack.

A big guest straight off the bat for series four: Andy Murray, taking a break from tantalising losses in Grand Slam semis. In the last series, Tim Henman fired serves at the show's regulars. How can Murray top that? By picking up a microphone to reveal his talent for rapping, backed by regular host James Corden.

The show's also held onto star players John Bishop and Andrew Flintoff, along with Jamie Redknapp and Georgie Thompson. Other guests are comic Jason Manford, and Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier.

Jason Manford talks about his book

Hidden deep within the bowels of ITV's studios on the South Bank, Asylum blog grabbed 15 minutes with Jason Manford in his dressing room in honour of his new book, Brung Up Proper: My Autobiography.

Comedy memoirs battle for Christmas bestseller list

James Corden, Lee Evans and Jason Manford are among those in the race for a top slot on the Christmas book bestseller lists.

Jason Manford interview

Jason Manford is enjoying an increasingly rare day off. A 45-date UK tour, including appearances at the Playhouse this Friday and Saturday, hasn't stopped the Mancunian from setting aside an evening to follow his beloved Manchester City.

Jason Manford: How Peter Kay got me into university

With a black eye and half his teeth missing, a 17-year-old Jason Manford took his first tentative steps to a career in comedy at the Buzz Club in Chorlton - still bearing the scars from a vicious mugging in Moss Side.

Jason Manford's free pub gig

Comic Jason Manford did a free gig at a pub - to thank a landlady who helped when he got a puncture in her village.

A slightly surprising - and very tough - vote from the judges after Monday night's show sent Dan, Pat and Tiffany through to tonight's live final at London's Hammersmith Apollo.

They've already played Blackpool's Tower Ballroom, but you can bet the nerves will be kicking in tonight as they play to the biggest audience of their careers and millions of voting viewers at home.

The winner will pocket £100,000 plus their own DVD, but all three finalists will be heading off around the country on tour in just three weeks' time.

Joining host Jason Manford are judges Alan Davies and Kate Copstick, who's warned Dan: "If you let me down I will have your Welsh rarebits on toast." I don't think she was joking.

So far, laughs have been desperately thin on the ground in Jason Manford's talent show for stand-up comedians. Still, with £100,000, a DVD deal and a nationwide tour up for grabs we can only hope the three remaining contestants have been keeping their best material till last in a bid to win those all-important viewers' votes and the approval of guest judges Bob Mortimer, Johnny Vegas and Ross Noble.