Jason Manford paid £600 for a meet and greet with HIMSELF so he could grab an early night

EXHAUSTED Jason Manford outbid fans in a charity auction to win a meet and greet with him - because he needed his BED.

The quick-thinking funny man took action after performing late at a charity ball which was also attended by Corrie star Kym Marsh, 40, and Cheshire Housewives’ star Tanya Bardsley, 35.

And the star splashed out £600 – so he could head off from the bash early.

Recalling his shrewd move on his radio show on Sunday morning, the comedian told listeners about his clever - but pricey - trick to get himself in to bed sharpish.

Speaking on his Absolute Radio show, he said: “I got on about 10.45pm and I’m like, ‘I’m really really tired’.

“Then there was a charity auction and I forgot that I’d offered a meet and greet with people after the gig, photos, films, and have half an hour with them, so  - this might sound harsh – but as they started bidding, I thought, ‘I just want to go to bed’.

“I was so tired I had been up all night, all day with the kids, sorting the Christmas tree out, the lights, all those things.

“I outbid the other people – it cost me £600 – it went to a good cause.

“I actually bid on my own meet and greet – I just had to meet myself.”

But the fan who lost out wasn’t left disappointed.

Jason added: “I went over and just said hello and had a picture with him because I felt a bit guilty.

“When I got home and got into bed last night at midnight, when it should’ve been 12.45am – it was the best £600 I’ve ever spent.”

Fan Adam Britton tweeted: “So Jason Manford just paid £600 to have a meet and greet with Jason Manford. Basically paid to go home early, good tactics.”

The Christmas in Hollywood ball on Saturday,  which saw guests enjoy a three course meal and entertainment, raised money for Cardiac Risk in the Young charity.

It was held at the Hallmark Hotel in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

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