30 December 2023 , 10:34
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Jason Manford has revealed the petty reason Paddy McGuinness fired him from being his support act - as he delved into an awkward run-in with his fellow comedian.
The 42-year-old used to gig around with 50-year-old Paddy, who back then was the bigger known star, when he was a budding stand-up. Both comedians have gone onto forge successful careers and will both be hitting the road in 2024 fronting their own headlines tours, but things weren't always this way.
Jason was the support act for Paddy back in 2006 as he warmed up the crowd before the ex-Top Gear star took to the stage. But he claims that he got too many laughs from the audience - prompting Paddy to sack him.
Jason was working in a comedy club earning £70 per night when he got a call from Paddy’s management team asking him if he wanted to support the star during his debut stage show. But Jason’s early excitement over the role was short lived as he made his support slot too slick and management swiftly told him they no longer wanted him to support headliner Paddy on the road.
Jason Manford has claimed Paddy McGuinness sacked him from a tour for being 'too funny' (Getty Images for The National Lo)
Paddy and Jason will hit the road in 2024 - in separate tours (Dave Benett/Getty Images for Just Eat)Speaking to the MailOnline, Jason claims: "I was a club comic at the time, earning £70 a night, in the early noughties and I got this phone call asking if I wanted to support Paddy McGuinness on tour doing proper theatres. I was told 'You’ll be done by 8.15pm and it’s £100 a show', so I was like 'yes I will'. I snapped their hand off."
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He continued: "I signed up for the whole tour which was around 80 dates, I was thinking I could put down a deposit on a little flat in Manchester or something.
"Around six or seven gigs in I thought I was doing really well as I was "club ready", my act was really polished, but I then got a call from the tour manager and he said to me 'they’ve decided to go in a different direction for support. I think you’re a bit too funny'."
Jason went on to claim his routine was in line with the humour of Phoenix Nights - the popular Channel 4 comedy show that launched Paddy to stardom. He claims there was one night that his routine went on longer than Paddy’s headline slot - and the Phoenix Night’s loving audience were more amused by his routine than Paddy’s jokes.
If there was any animosity between the two boys over the short professional relationship, it all seems to be buried in the past. Last month, Paddy announced he will be going on tour in 2024 - and Jason responded to the news on social media to comment: “If you’re looking for tour support, I know a decent comic.”
Paddy himself reacted to the amusing proposition, writing in reply: “Do pass on his details.” Jason’s own show, A Manford All Seasons, will roll into theatres up and down the UK from November 2024.