‘Bringing joy to people is a special thing’
Comedian Jason Manford tells us why he’s all about the laughs when it comes to being a TV judge and admits he still gets starstruck
Given that he’s an established comedian, singer, actor and TV presenter, you could be forgiven for wondering if there’s anything that Jason Manford can’t do! And now that the Salford-born star has landed a gig as a judge on ITV’s new talent show Starstruck, he can add yet another string to his bow.
But don’t worry about his new job making him all serious. Unbeatable presenter Jason assures us that all he wants to do on the show – which sees ordinary people perform as their icons – is have a “bit of a laugh” and enjoy every minute of it. And the 40-year-old tells us his main driver in life is bringing joy to others.
Here, the father-of-six, who’s been married to TV producer Lucy Dyke since 2017, explains why being nervous before a performance is a good thing and how meeting
footballers leaves him speechless...
Describe Starstruck
to us... It’s a big Saturday night ball of fun, really. It’s singing, it’s dancing, it’s pyrotechnics, it’s a laugh. It’s a perfect hour of entertainment.
What kind of judge are you?
I like to think that I’m a bit of a laugh. I hope not to take it too seriously and enjoy the fun of it all. But I love music and I’m a singer and actor as well so I’ll be looking at how good people are at getting into their characters.
What are you looking for in the contestants’ performances?
Whether they’re enjoying themselves and if they’re having a good time. If they’re having a good time, we’re having a good time.
If you could transform yourself into another music icon, who would it be and why?
With a bit of rehearsal I would probably do Neil Diamond. I can do
parodies of the Gallagher brothers and Gary Barlow – any Northern singer really.
What excites you the most about performing in front of an audience?
I just love people enjoying themselves. I know it sounds cliché, but to bring joy to somebody is such a special thing to be able to do. To let somebody forget about their tough day for even an hour or so is such a gift.
Can you remember the first time you performed on stage?
I sang an Elvis [Presley] song when I was about nine. My family were all in bands and stuff so the grandkids would get called up on stage and we would all sing different songs.
What is the best advice you’ve ever been given?
That you’re supposed to feel nervous. People think that nerves are this really debilitating thing meaning you can’t do it, but you’re supposed to feel nervous before you go out on stage in front of loads of people.
It means you care about the result and that you want it to go well.
Have you ever been starstruck?
Usually it’s footballers. I’m not even a Manchester United fan but I was terrified when I met Sir Alex Ferguson. I was genuinely scared of this terrifying man.
‘I can do a parody of Gary Barlow’
Have you been surprised by the talent on Starstruck so far?
I haven’t just been surprised by the talent, I’ve been surprised by the warmth of the contestants. I loved growing up with Stars In Their Eyes
and this is Stars In Their Eyes 2.0.
Rhona Mercer
Starstruck