One Show presenter Manford steps down following tabloid revelations

• Jason Manford and Alex Jones have only presented The One Show for a few months Picture: PA

The 29-year-old, whose wife is expecting their third child, said: "I have only myself to blame."

Yesterday Manford, who previously had more than 200,000 followers on Twitter, deleted his account and vowed to stay away from temptation online.

He said in a statement: "I have decided after careful consideration to step down from The One Show to concentrate on my family and tour commitments."

The BBC said Manford would still be appearing on Children in Need last night as part of a pre-recorded segment.

A BBC spokesman said: "We have got nothing to say except that we accept Jason's decision."

The comedian yesterday admitted flirting with 12 female fans via text messages, Twitter and Skype calls. He said: "There were ten or 12 people flirting and then with a few it went over the line. We would start off flirty, then innuendo and then a bit saucy. They were the moments I thought, 'I shouldn't be saying that'.

"It was just nice to have some interaction, I suppose. But the next morning I would wake up and think, 'F***. Oh my God'.

"I don't drink or do drugs, so it's not like I've those to blame, just my own stupidity."

The Lancashire-born comic began presenting The One Show from Monday to Thursday in July this year, taking over from former BBC sports presenter Adrian Chiles.

At the time, programme editor Sandy Smith said the comic was chosen for "his likeability, his natural warmth and his quick wit".

Steve Bennett, editor of the Chortle comedy website, said the scandal would not necessarily harm Manford's reputation as a comedian.

"For him getting the job on The One Show was a great break, but being a comedian and being a television presenter are different things. In many ways it is very hard to be a comedian and a presenter because as a comedian you have opinions whereas as a presenter you become a voice of the BBC.

"It might mean he can't appear on daytime television but I don't think people will be put off seeing him live because of this. All he has to do is write a good three minutes of material about it."

Yesterday, Manford said his wife, Catherine, was "disappointed" but the couple were working through what had happened.

"We have had a serious sit-down about it and agreed that what we've got is worth fighting for. She's fine and we're fine. Hopefully me and my wife have another 60 years together. That is the most important thing.

"I am a good dad, a good husband. From now I am going to be one forever. That's it."

He said the flirtations had begun when he was on tour and felt bored and lonely, adding: "It's such a weird world online. People throw themselves at you."

Anne Chilton, a counsellor from Relationships Scotland, said online flirtations were increasingly a factor in difficulties between couples.

"The technology gives us a buzz. What happens is you feel this sense of exhilaration. Your feelings are heightened and you can be drawn into the moment.

"It feels like there is an intimacy and a privacy to what is happening, but of course there isn't."

She added: "For the couple what comes in the next few weeks is crucial - how they will survive the crisis and what kind of changes they will make. It is a huge challenge for them."

Cyberspace comments

Jason Manford's Twitter problems and resignation prompted much online comment yesterday.

Fiona2608 tweeted: "I know jason manford is in the wrong, majorly. But he always seemed like such a nice guy. Makes it even more sad really."

boochild2 said: "Really disappointed … Another celeb who can't keep it in his pants!!"

lakitu4192? said: "Shame about Jason Manford. He was one of the more interesting people on Twitter."

Some believed Manford should keep his job, with rhodri posting: "Why does everyone always have to resign for being a bit of an idiot? We're all idiots, it's just that other people haven't found out yet."

And tonyrudak said: "I suspect he's gone back to doing what he does best. A TV presenter he isn't!"

Tony Cowards posted: "I just hope that Jason Manford learns to live with the shame... still at least he only presented The One Show for 4 months."

Twitter was also full of suggestions about who should take the helm at The One Show, with Charlie Brooker, Billy Connolly and David Tennant all named.

Comedian Richard Herring posted: "Be interesting to see who'll accept poisoned chalice of One Show job."

Followers of Herring immediately began an online campaign for the comedian to become the new presenter.