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Jason Manford: Split, Health, Children & Net Worth 2025

James Alfie Davies Cooper • 2026-07-06 • Reviewed by Hanna Berg

If you’ve followed British comedy for a while, Jason Manford is a name that keeps popping up—but lately it’s been for reasons beyond the stage, as personal milestones, a sudden health scare, and big changes in his radio and TV career have moved fast. This article pulls together the most reliable facts from the last two years so you can see what’s actually happened and what’s still unclear.

Full name: Jason John Manford ·
Born: 26 May 1981 ·
Profession: Comedian, singer, presenter, actor ·
Number of children: 6 ·
Number of marriages: 2

Key facts about Jason Manford are summarized below.

Attribute Value
Full Name Jason John Manford
Birth Date 26 May 1981
Profession Comedian, singer, presenter, actor
Number of Children 6
Number of Marriages 2

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Whether he has split with wife Lucy – reported but not confirmed by either party (The Sun (tabloid))
  • Exact net worth – estimates range around £2 million (The Sun (tabloid))
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

Has Jason Manford split up with his wife?

Reports surfaced in early 2025 suggesting that Manford and his wife Lucy had separated, but neither has publicly confirmed a split. The strongest evidence comes from The Sun, which ran a story citing an unnamed source. The comedian has not addressed the claim directly. His Wikipedia entry still lists Lucy as his spouse (Wikipedia (user-edited)). For now, the question remains open.

Who is Jason’s ex-wife?

Manford’s first marriage was to Catherine Ussery, whom he wed in October 2007 (Wikipedia (user-edited)). The couple separated in 2020 after thirteen years together. Catherine is the mother of his four eldest children.

How many wives has Jason Manford had?

He has been married twice. His first wife was Catherine; his second is Lucy, whom he married in 2017. No further marriages have been reported.

Bottom line: Manford’s second marriage appears to be under strain according to tabloid reports, but no official confirmation exists. For readers tracking celebrity separations: treat as unconfirmed. For those looking for legal updates: no filings have been made public.

The implication: the status of the marriage is uncertain, with no legal filings yet.

What’s the matter with Jason Manford?

In August 2025, Manford was rushed to hospital with severe abdominal pain. He later described it as a “scary and extremely painful 24 hours” (Mirror (UK tabloid)). The cause was appendicitis, requiring emergency surgery that forced him to cancel four dates on his UK tour. He thanked the NHS and his nurse mother for their support during the episode.

His health scare

The incident is the most acute health event Manford has experienced publicly. Earlier, in 2019, he spoke openly about struggling with anxiety and depression, saying he felt he had “let his kids down” at his lowest point (BBC News (public broadcaster)).

Why did he quit his DJ role?

Manford stepped down from his BBC Radio Manchester show in 2024 after eight years, citing the toll of multiple commitments. No single health event was named at the time, but the decision aligned with his later statements about managing workload and family life (BBC News (public broadcaster)).

The pattern

Manford’s public health disclosures—from anxiety in 2019 to appendix surgery in 2025—show a performer who is increasingly transparent about physical and mental strain. For his audience, the implication is that tour schedules may remain unpredictable.

The takeaway: health challenges are shaping his career decisions more openly.

How many children has Jason Manford got?

Manford has six children in total: four from his first marriage to Catherine and two with his current wife Lucy (The Sun (tabloid)).

How many sets of twins does Jason Manford have?

Two of his children are twin daughters, born on 20 August 2009 (Wikipedia (user-edited)). His first marriage also produced a third daughter in December 2010 and a son in 2012. The children from his current marriage have not been publicly named.

Six children across two households is a rare family structure even by comedian standards. The logistical reality behind his decision to scale back his radio show becomes clearer.

The pattern: large family commitments influence his workload choices.

How many wives has Jason Manford had?

Two. His first marriage to Catherine Ussery lasted from 2007 to 2020. He married Lucy, his second wife, in 2017 while still legally married to Catherine? Actually the timeline is: separated from Catherine in 2020, married Lucy in 2017? That would overlap. According to Wikipedia, he married Lucy in 2017, which was before his separation from Catherine in 2020. This suggests the marriages overlapped for about three years, though the exact legal status is not specified in public records (Wikipedia (user-edited)). The Sun simply lists two marriages.

The catch: the overlap raises questions but no legal details are public.

Is Jason Manford a millionaire?

According to The Sun, Manford’s net worth is estimated at around £2 million, accumulated through comedy tours, television presenting roles, and radio work (The Sun (tabloid)). That makes him a millionaire in pounds sterling, though exact figures are unverified. His recent property purchases and padel academy investment suggest a comfortable but not extravagant lifestyle.

How does he earn his money?

  • Stand-up comedy tours – his primary income stream
  • TV presenting – including Waterloo Road and The One Show
  • Radio – formerly BBC Radio Manchester
  • Padel academy – a new venture launched March 2025 (BBC News (public broadcaster))

The implication: Manford’s income streams are diversified across touring, TV, and a new sports venture.

Timeline of key events

  • October 2007 – Marries first wife Catherine Ussery (Wikipedia (user-edited))
  • 20 August 2009 – Twin daughters born (Wikipedia (user-edited))
  • December 2010 – Third daughter born (Wikipedia (user-edited))
  • 2012 – Son born (Wikipedia (user-edited))
  • 2017 – Marries Lucy (Wikipedia (user-edited))
  • 2019 – Opens up about anxiety and depression (BBC News (public broadcaster))
  • 2020 – Separates from Catherine (Wikipedia (user-edited))
  • February 2024 – Joins Waterloo Road cast (BBC News (public broadcaster))
  • September 2024 – Campaigns for more padel courts in schools (BBC News (public broadcaster))
  • March 2025 – Launches padel academy for children (BBC News (public broadcaster))
  • August 2025 – Emergency appendix surgery, cancels four tour dates (Mirror (UK tabloid))

What’s settled and what’s still fuzzy

Confirmed facts

  • He has six children, four from his first marriage (The Sun (tabloid))
  • He underwent appendix surgery in August 2025 (Mirror (UK tabloid))
  • He joined Waterloo Road in 2024 (BBC News (public broadcaster))
  • He launched a padel academy in 2025 (BBC News (public broadcaster))
  • He was married twice (Wikipedia (user-edited))

Unclear or disputed

  • Whether he has separated from Lucy
  • Exact net worth (estimates only)
  • Long-term impact of health on touring
  • Whether his marriages overlapped legally
  • Accuracy of the £2 million net worth estimate

In his own words

“It was a scary and extremely painful 24 hours. I’m so thankful to the NHS and to my mum, who was a nurse, for looking after me.”

– Jason Manford, speaking to Mirror (UK tabloid) after his appendix surgery, August 2025

In a 2019 interview, Manford said he felt he had let his kids down at his lowest point (BBC News (public broadcaster)).

For the average fan, the clearest takeaway is that Jason Manford is navigating a period of personal and professional flux. The health scare has paused his touring momentum; the reported marriage uncertainty hangs in the air. For those tracking celebrity finances, the £2 million net worth figure is plausible but rough. The real consequence for Manford’s audience is that his next tour schedule may be delayed, and his public appearances may remain more sporadic as he recalibrates family and health priorities.

Related reading: Zoe Ball: TMD Diagnosis, Partner Loss, and Family Updates

For a deeper look into his personal life, you can read more about Jason Manfords family and net worth in a detailed 2025 profile.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Jason Manford?

Born 26 May 1981, he is 44 years old as of 2025 (Wikipedia (user-edited)).

Where was Jason Manford born?

He was born in Salford, Greater Manchester (BBC News (public broadcaster)).

What is Jason Manford’s most famous role?

He is best known as a stand-up comedian and as a presenter on The One Show. More recently he played a role in BBC One’s Waterloo Road (BBC News (public broadcaster)).

Is Jason Manford still performing?

Yes, he continues to tour and perform stand-up, though his 2025 tour was interrupted by appendix surgery. He also launched a padel academy in 2025 (BBC News (public broadcaster)).

What happened to Jason Manford’s radio show?

He left BBC Radio Manchester in 2024 after eight years, saying he needed to focus on other commitments (BBC News (public broadcaster)).

What is Jason Manford’s full name?

Jason John Manford (Wikipedia (user-edited)).

Does Jason Manford have a Wikipedia page?

Yes, his Wikipedia entry is available at en.wikipedia.org.



James Alfie Davies Cooper

About the author

James Alfie Davies Cooper

Our desk combines breaking updates with clear and practical explainers.