Comedian's 'most treasured possession'

Jason Manford has a replica of the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang car in his front garden.

The comedian played madcap inventor Caractacus Potts in the UK tour of the musical between 2016 and 2017 – and originally wanted to buy the prop used on stage.

But when it came up for auction in 2020, he was outbid by ought by Derbyshire-based Bowden Theatre Works, which paid £19,000 – more than twice the £9,000 estimate.

At the time he said: ‘I was the winning bid for ages until some money bags came in and got it! I mean, no idea where I’d have put it but hope it’s going to a loving home.’

But that did not deter the comedian, who bought a replica instead, which he now describes as his most treasured possession.

‘It’s in my front garden, surrounded by a lovely wildflower meadow,’ he told The Guardian this weekend. ‘People stop to look at it.’

Earlier this year Manford said he loved the camaraderie of being in a musical so much he was considering writing his own.

‘I love being part of a cast and crew,’ he said. ‘I really enjoy that part of a musical. As a stand-up, it’s quite a lonely job, you’re by yourself quite a lot.’

He has also previously appeared in The Producers and Sweeney Todd and is currently in the London Palladium run of  The Wizard of Oz as The Cowardly Lion.

Published: 9 Jul 2023