COMEDIAN Jason Manford has clapped back at online trolls who accused him of “rehashing material” during his Royal Variety hosting role.
The funnyman took to X to respond to criticism of his gags made at the Royal Albert Hall event, which aired on ITV on Sunday.
The Royal Variety Performance 2025 was filmed back in November and saw Princess Kate dazzle in green as she joined her husband Prince William and kick started the event by leading the National Anthem.
Jason, 44, then took over proceedings, five years after he presented the show in 2020 for the lockdown edition.
He cracked some jokes about his children, who he said he had turned into “monsters” which made the Princess of Wales chuckle.
Yet the northern stand-up faced a tougher crowd in those watching from home and one took to X to remark: “Can’t believe Manford is rehashing all this stuff about his brother and class. Been doing this for years.”
Another put: “I preferred a different person doing it and think they would’ve been better just my opinion sorry.”
A third posted that he was a “s**t copy of Jimmy Tarbuck”.
One then mused: “Jason Manford is an abysmal host and not funny in the slightest.”
Yet Jason didn’t take things lying down.
He lashed back on the social media site and wrote: “I love Tarby! What a compliment”.
He replied to another troll about his alleged recycled jokes and said: “Tough gig, I pulled out the gags that were going to see me through!”
Yet others were quick to back Jason, who is currently in panto.
One posted: “He was brilliant. Got it just right. No stupid, irrelevant, out of date jokes. Just enjoyable fun with the focus on the acts and entertainment.”
Another added: “That was by far the best Royal Variety Performance ever. No weaknesses all top quality. What a finale!!!!
“The best ever and you ran the show! Top Class xx”
The One Show hosts past and present
The One Show has had a number of presenters since it launched in 2006 – but who are they?
Current
- Alex Jones – Alex is the longest-severing current host of The One Show as she’s been a regular fixture on the green sofa since 2011.
- Ronan Keating – After stints of X-Factor and The Voice: Australia, Boyzone star Ronan swapped singing for chatting, also joining The One Show in 2021.
- Roman Kemp – Roman initially signed on to be a guest presenter on The One Show in 2022 but made the move permanent the following year. This brought his time on Capital Breakfast to an end.
- Lauren Laverne – DJ, singer and Desert Island Discs host Lauren became a regular host on the BBC chat show at the same time as Roman.
Guest
The One Show also has a number of relief and guest presenters. They are:
- Retired gymnast Gabby Logan (2009–2010, 2013—present)
- Newsround presenter Ore Oduba (2015—present)
- Presenter and X-Factor star Rylan Clark (2019—present)
- Former professional footballer and Strictly star Alex Scott (2019—present)
Past
RIGHT ROYAL SHOW
During Sunday’s show, the Prince and Princess of Wales watched performances from Jessie J, who sang I’ll Never Know Why and Stephen Fry who performed a comedic skit.
The cast of Les Miserables including Michael Ball, Matt Lucas, Katy Secombe, Bradley Jaden and Killian Donnelly also took to the stage.
The new Paddington musical was also introduced by the composer Tom Fletcher
Britain’s Got Talent winner Harry Moulding displayed his magic skills too.
Opera star Katherine Jenkins was another act to perform under the spotlights.
Madness, Laufey, Tom Davis, Mick Miller, The cast of the BBC show Dead Ringers, Johannes Radebe and America’s Got Talent winners Adrien Stoica and his border collie Hurricane were also in the line up.
