One Show host Jason Manford quits over web sex with 12 girls

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Television presenter Jason Manford has quit The One Show after confessing to exchanging sexual messages with up to 12 female fans.

The married comedian resigned from the BBC programme to "concentrate on my family and tour commitments" after he admitted sending suggestive messages on Twitter.

The father of two, whose wife, Catherine, is expecting their third child before Christmas, said he had made the decision to leave the show after confessing to his wife.

Manford and co-host Alex Jones took over from Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley in July after they defected to ITV.

Manford said: "There were 10 or 12 people flirting and then with a few it went over the line. All I ever wanted was to have a family and I've risked it all for some girls online."

Manford told how he decided to come clean to his wife about exchanging sexual tweets with fan Debra McNamee, 22, after he was exposed in The Sun.

He said: "We have had a serious sit-down about it and agreed that what we've got is worth fighting for. She's fine and we're fine. The kids are fine. We've got another one in three weeks. She hasn't kicked me out."

Strictly Come Dancing star and ex-Blue Peter Matt Baker has become favourite to take over from Manford. Bookmaker Wiliam Hill has made him evens favourite, but could be tied up to Strictly for another month.

Chris Evans - who presents the Friday edition of The One Show - is also hotly fancied, but it would be a heavy burden in addition to his daily Radio 2 breakfast show. Hill puts Adrian Chiles, who quit the show earlier this year and defected to ITV1, at 14-1 for a return.

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