Jason Manford tucks in at Telford pub before his Oakengates gig
Top TV comic Jason Manford had Telford in stitches at his stand up show - but not before filling up on some food for thought at a nearby pub.
The former One Show host tucked into a pre-theatre meal at the Severn Gorge in Malinsgate before taking to the stage in Oakengates.
Regulars at the pub restaurant on Southwater Way were surprised to see the 32-year-old funnyman sitting down to a two-courser.
Apparently keen to keep his rumbling tum at bay while on stage, the Mancunian opted for dessert.
After settling the bill he hot-footed it over to Oakengates Theatre for the latest gig in his First World Problems tour - making sure to be there on time.
The comic had learned his lesson after he was 40 minutes late for a show in Lincoln on Saturday night and bought everybody in the audience a drink to say sorry.
The Stockport showman picked up a £3,530 bar bill as an apology for keeping people waiting.
Heather Swanson, front of house leader at Oakengates Theatre said: "He was on time but he did refer to how much it had cost him being late the night before.
"It was the first time I had seen him and I was really looking forward to it, he didn't disappoint. The theatre was packed out and the vibe in the audience was marvellous."
Manford defined his subject as "the things you complain about but if you compared notes with the third world you'd be pretty embarrassed."
But before he got stuck into the shameful social observations, which made the audience rethink their lot as well as laugh, he warmed up the sell-out crowd.
Further into the show he invited the audience to return with examples of their own first world problems.
