The Salford-born star purchased a number of books from Irish authors and signed the “LegenDerry Chair” at Little Acorns Bookstore.
He then left a positive review of the shop before heading to Belfast Boat Club for a game of Padel last week.
Jason Manford visited the Little Acorns Bookstore in Derry
Manford praised the staff who work in the shop as “super friendly and knowledgeable” in a Facebook post, which now has over 1,000 likes.
“Found this lovely independent bookshop in Derry on Saturday, Little Acorns Bookstore, and met its delightful owner, Jenni,” he wrote.
“Super friendly and knowledgeable she pointed me in the right direction for a new book! I’d gone in for Stephen King but ended up being convinced to buy some Irish writers: Michael Magee, Seamas O’Reilly, Darach MacDonald, Brian McGilloway, Liz Nugent, Niamh Donnellan, Ellen Ryan and Nicol Heaney.”
Manford had been in NI for his “A Manford All Seasons” tour.
Jason Manford signed teh LegenDerry Chair at the bookshop
News Catch Up – Monday 22nd September
The funnyman is known for presenting a range of BBC and ITV programmes including Comedy Rocks, The One Show, Show Me The Funny, A Question of Sport: Super Saturday, Big Heads and Children in Need.
He was also one of four judges on ITV’s Starstruck.
His latest tour of the UK and Ireland saw him take to the stage at the Armagh City Hotel on Saturday night before he hailed it as a “fantastic night” describing the venue “was a dream”.
Jason Manford in Armagh
“Fantastic night in Armagh tonight! Not gonna lie when they told me it was in a function room of a hotel I was slightly dreading it… but this was a dream!” He posted on social media.
“Nine-hundred people and I loved them! Real fun folk! Definitely be back next time!
“Thanks to William Thompson for very funny support. Back in Belfast October 3rd. Down to Swansea, Taunton, Truro, Bath, Bristol and Tunbridge Wells next week.”
The former Children in Need presenter also met with Holywood-based comedian Shane Todd who is known for his popular “Tea With Me” podcast in addition to his stand-up.
Jason Manford and Shane Todd
The ‘A Manford All Seasons’ tour will see the performer return to NI on October 3 to do a show at the Ulster Hall in Belfast.
Embracing the positive review was the bookshop themselves on their own social media.
Jason Manford signed teh LegenDerry Chair at the bookshop
“What an honour to have the wonderfully funny and non-fictional character Jason Manford to be the latest to add his signature to one of the Little Acorns Bookstore LegenDerryChairs – the Writers’ Chair!” Said a spokesperson.
“Boasting over 400 scribbles to date between the two old schoolteacher chairs (rescued from a skip) – [we are] gonna need more legs!
“Thanks so much Jason and for stopping, shopping and stealing by – it was a total pleasure to meet you. Hope you all enjoy the books!”
Also embracing the publicity brought by Manford’s visit to their venue was Belfast Boat Club.
Jason Manford: Smashing game of padel 🎾 at @belfastboatclub another one this afternoon and then off to Derry
“Smashing game of Padel at Belfast Boat Club, another on this afternoon and then off to Derry,” write Manford on a social media post.
“Great to welcome comedian Jason Manford to Belfast Boat Club today [Thursday] for a game of Padel. Good luck with show tonight at The Ulster Hall Belfast,” wrote a club spokesperson.