Jason Manford has been caught up in the heatwave travel chaos on the way to his gig tonight (Tuesday July 19). The comedian was travelling from Stockport to Margate by train - and it didn't take long for the disruption to begin.
Sharing his tumultuous journey on Twitter, the 41-year-old said he felt like he was "in the Truman show" trying to get to the seaside town when a tree crashed on to the line near Milton Keynes, causing "all the trains to stop". Minutes later he updated that the tree had now caught fire.
"Couldn’t make it up! #EndOfDays," he added. Jason made it as far as Rugby when the train route was cancelled altogether. "Train cancelled in rugby! Anyone nearby wanna lend me their car so I can get to Margate (not even joking, can’t get a hire car or a cab!)," he said.
Read more: All the places to stay cool in Greater Manchester as the UK battles the heatwave
He soon managed to find a taxi to take him on the next leg of his journey. "Anyway, in cab to Northampton now. Randomly but it’s as far as this cab driver is willing to go! Inching my way to Margate," Jason said, alongside a selfie of him in the back of the vehicle.
Fans rushed to offer Jason their help and support. @pockitz said: "Best of luck chap. If you can't get to Margate but can get to Ashford i will drive you the rest of the way," while @ColinPep1 added: "...And you need to be in Margate? I wish I was local to Northampton. I'd drive you myself."
"The people of Margate had better give you at least a standing ovation just for getting there!" added @PAN1F and @JoPhilpott11 said: "Hope Margate appreciate the effort you have gone to! So glad you got a lift".
Jason finally managed to get that all-important taxi from Northampton to Margate. "Only £210! Bargain!," he updated. "Had to convince him to put aircon on! He said “it’s a Prius so we can get to Margate or you can have aircon, there’s not enough power to do both!”
The Absolute Radio presenter has been embarking on a string of shows across the country as part of his latest stand-up tour 'Like Me.' It follows up his Muddle Class tour from 2018.
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