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Festival of Hope, Mold
FUNNYMAN Jason Manford hopes his performance at the Comedy in the Park night at the Gyl Gobaith - Festival Of Hope - is more entertaining than his own stag night in Wales.
The star of C4's 8 Out of 10 Cats said: "It was more of a hen night, really. It was in a Snowdonian cottage and we stayed in and played PlayStation games."
Rest assured, though, he did get down to some paintballing and go-karting that same weekend.
Currently, Jason, 28, is gearing up to entertain the crowds at the Comedy in the Park night in Flintshire.
He says: "I'm looking forward to it. I'm writing some material now. It'll be good for the festival to have some variety along with the singers. I don't understand the Welsh language although parts of North Wales are like south Liverpool. I used to come to Anglesey on holiday."
The comedian from Salford had entertainers in his family so his path was clear.
He said: "I was a bit of a smart Alec at school - always coming out with funny comments. I enjoyed performing. I had performers and people in bands in my family so it (showbusiness) was not one of those jobs that seemed completely out of reach. But I never really thought it would turn into a job."
Jason began his career aged only 17 in 1999, while working at the Buzz Comedy Club at the Southern Hotel in Chorlton.
He was collecting glasses when a performer didn't arrive for an evening set. Jason stepped in to fill the gap. Six gigs later he was crowned City Life North West Comedian of the Year.
The avid Manchester City fan was inspired as a nine-year-old by watching Billy Connolly. He also loves family friendly entertainers like the late Eric Morecambe, Tommy Cooper and Les Dawson.
Now he's hobnobbing with the stars. He says: "On 8 Out of 10 Cats on TV, I've met Jimmy Carr, Joan Rivers and three times cycling Olympic gold medallist Sir Chris Hoy. I've also done Jonathan Ross and met Mickey Rourke so it's been a real eye-opener."
Apart from joshing with audiences in his stage performances, he's also been filming for a BBC show called Walk On The Wild Side, to be broadcast at Saturday tea time next month.
"I mimick animals on it," he says. "I like pandas, elephants, tigers and bears - the big ones. I fancy myself as a 21st century Johnny Morris.
"But stage work is a bit more exciting because you're live, in front of an audience and there's no producer, editor or Ofcom telling you what you can say."
Ggyl Gobaith - Festival of Hope will be a three-day, open-air event at Gwysaney Hall, Mold June 26-28. Stars of comedy on Friday include Jason Manford, Silky, Milton Jones and Tudur Owen. Saturday sees Rhys Meriion joined by Shan Cothi, David Kempster and Côr Rhuthun. On Sunday Mark Evans and Only Men Aloud perform with Ysgol Glanaethwy plus Trelawnyd and Caerwys choirs.
Proceeds to Hope House Children's Hospices charity, which runs Hope House in Oswestry and T Gobaith in Conwy. Tickets cost £27.50. Ring 01745 330000 or visit www.rhylpavilion.co.uk or www.gwyl-gobaith.co.uk
