Josh Widdicombe
Strictly Come Dancing, The Last Leg
Comedian
Jason has presented peak time ITV shows including Comedy Rocks and Show Me The Funny, appeared in the West End in Sweeney Todd and Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and sold out the O2. Jason's live set mixes perfectly crafted observations and traditional, warm-hearted Mancunian banter.
Jason Manford rose from eager amateur to Perrier nominee to one of the UK’s hottest comic properties in just a few years. Now one of the most popular presenters and performers in the country he's fronted peak time ITV shows including Comedy Rocks and Show Me The Funny, revealed his hidden operatic talents on Born To Shine, hosted BBC’s Live At The Apollo and been a panel show regular.
As a teenager, Jason was employed as a lowly pot collector at Manchester’s longest running comedy club when an act failed to turn up. He was given his break, and six gigs later won the North West Comedian of the Year award. Next came the finals of Channel 4’s So You Think You’re Funny? before being nominated for the top Edinburgh Fringe award.
Jason has since made his name on shows including Channel 4's Tonightly, and as a team captain in 8 Out Of 10 Cats, before a spell as co-host on The One Show. He's appeared on panel shows including Would I Lie to You?, QI, A League of Their Own, and Have I Got News For You. He's turned his hand to acting, including TV roles in Death in Paradise and Ripper Street, and has forged a successful stage musical career with star appearances in Sweeny Todd, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and The Producers.
Live, Jason's ‘man-of-the-people’ personality and charm have won over live audiences across the country - as demonstrated by a sell-out tour spanning eighteen months and a sell--out appearance London's O2.
‘Jason’s performance hit precisely the right note.’
Jason was absolutely fantastic; very down to earth chap, who obviously listened to the brief as his performance was based around this and the audience. Jason was happy to work with us and nothing was too much trouble. Jason’s performance was superb and incredibly well received; still being talked about now. From the minute Jason started until he finished, there was laughter and hysterics from each and every one in the audience. All feedback received has been genuinely very positive saying how brilliant he was and has also prompted sales of Jason’s DVDs!!
I will go as far to say that I rate Jason as the best host I have used over my 10 years of Awards event management so far
He is very laid back but enthusiastic, easy to work with, professional and for the audience: Extremely funny, warm, the right balance of serious but with light hearted moments and respectful of the Awards but not too heavy – he also made 50% of his opening relate to the industry, which always goes down well
He hit the right mark with his comedy – interactive, good length and his presentation of the Awards was respectful enough, pacey and I thought he had great control of what can be a tough audience
I thought he was really great and have only heard positive feedback about him from so far
He also appears to be a very nice bloke and very chilled, which makes you feel relaxed as an organiser
Everyone thought he was great. One thing we really liked about he was that he made the evening really smooth by having a nice manner. He made the awards flow really well.
Personally, I found Jason very funny and he was prompt arriving which eased my pressure running an event for 1200 people. However there are three main criticisms:
1) Jason's expenses were over £500 which took me over budget on my event (and lost me my bonus!!). We tried to book 6 months in advance so plenty of notice was given and I feel that first class rail travel booked at the last minute was not looking after me as a customer.
2) We advised upon booking that we specifically did not want someone who would do their set piece. We wanted someone who would take a brief and adapt their material having done their homework about the pub industry to create an amusing piece related to Pubs. Our event is the biggest one of the industry – and to have a speaker who makes very little reference to the trade – is not great. Several people fed back to us that it was the same pitch he did the week before therefore the jokes were not funny.
3) 1/3 of all the people who offered feedback on our event found our speaker either "satisfactory" or "poor". I really would have hoped that this % would have been less.
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