CHANCES are you will see a lot of Jason Manford this year.

No stranger to Warrington, the comedian is a regular at the Parr Hall and his shows always sell out.

But Jason now has the town to thank for his first big break in a primetime TV drama after working with Max Beesley, Michelle Keegan and Mackenzie Crook on Ordinary Lies.

Bafta and Emmy award-winner Danny Brocklehurst's six-part series is about how a white lie can spiral out of control and change your life and it is due to air next month.

It was filmed across Warrington but mainly at John Stuart Car Superstore in Orford Lane and Jason plays Marty, a member of a bumbling sales team.

He said: "The people at the garage carried on working while we were there so we were in the other corner pretending to do what they were doing. It was surreal."

As far as his team are concerned, Marty is happy-go-lucky but he has a secret.

Jason added: "I play a guy who pretends that his wife died and then the lie unravels.

"It’s about people in a car showroom and the lives that they lead. It’s the idea that you don’t really know who you’re sat next to at work. You don’t know what is going on in their lives.

"I've known Danny Brocklehurst for a long time. He's a top lad and a really clever and witty writer."

Meanwhile, Jason has been keeping himself busy following in the footsteps of Peter Kay and Lee Evans as part of the new cast for The Producers.

Based on Mel Brooks’ Academy Award winning movie, the musical comedy is coming to Manchester's Palace Theatre from March 16 to 21.

Jason plays downtrodden accountant Leo Bloom who is recruited by New York producer Max Bialystock (Cory English) to help him pull off Broadway's greatest scam.

Together they aim to produce the worst show in history and run away to Rio with millions.

Jason said: "The great thing about the play is that it’s written by a comedian so it just lends itself for a comic to be in it.

"What I like about it is you’ve got all these big musical numbers.

"So it’s the best of both worlds in a way because you get to do quite cheesy dances and songs while all the time it’s almost like you’re winking at the audience as it’s tongue in cheek.

"What I really like about Leo is he’s this neurotic guy who still lives with his mum. He couldn’t be any more different than me as a person so that’s really fun to do

"My take on the character he’s sort of like Judy Garland. He’s this asexual, naive guy who is trustworthy and trusting and he’s just seeing life open up in front of him.

"He’s got a dream to be a Broadway producer and this is the most exciting thing that has ever happened to him.

"It’s a pleasure to play and it’s great to do all those old American lines you just don’t hear anymore. I think he says 'gee' about five times."

But are Jason and Leo really that different?

Growing up in a cash-strapped family in a Salford estate, Jason's background is a far cry from Broadway.

But did Leo's sense of wonder remind him of his journey from glass collector to stage act alongside the likes of Peter Kay, Eddie Izzard and Johnny Vegas at The Buzz Club in Chorlton?

"Yeah I suppose so," added the 33-year-old.

"I always think when you see anyone whose really good at their job it’s just inspiring, almost no matter what the job.

"For me, I remember being inspired by watching brilliant stand-ups."

It was there that Peter Kay took Jason under his wing and got him a place at Salford University after he failed to get the A-Level grades he needed.

"I learnt a lot from Peter early on," said Jason, who has appeared on Shameless and 8 out of 10 Cats.

"Even now I ask him for advice on various things and he’s a good friend. He helped me get on a university course to study media and performance and he gave me tips on stand-up

"I’ve always been a huge fan and admirer of Peter. I also spoke to him about The Producers as well as he did the show in Manchester in its last incarnation.

"We’ve had a similar upbringing and a similar style I guess so we just got talking."

Jason has won numerous comedy awards but he said it did not prepare him for his first acting role in Graham Duff's surreal comedy Ideal starring Johnny Vegas.

He added: "I’d been studying that kind of thing at university so I’d been on a TV set but when you get in there and have all the pressures of getting your lines right it’s scary but that never goes away. I still get nervous now."

When Jason is not on the stage or screen you will often find him supporting Children's Adventure Farm Trust, Warrington Guardian's charity of the month in September 2014.

The charity's patron said: "For such a small charity they help so many youngsters.

"They help children who are disabled and terminally ill but also children who are underprivileged.

"I come from an unprivileged background myself so now I’m doing alright for myself it’s nice to be able to help other kids who wouldn’t normally get a holiday."

- The Producers is at Palace Theatre from March 16 to 21. Visit atgtickets.com/manchester