A regular on Channel 4 panel show 8 Out of 10 Cats, Manford started his comedy career by winning the North West comedian of the year title in 1999. A year later, he won the Leicester Mercury comedian of the year, and was a finalist in the So You Think You're Funny? new act competition.
He made his Edinburgh Fringe debut in 2005 with Urban Legend, a show that was nominated for the main Perrier award. The following year he won the Chortle award for best breakthrough act.
He embarked on his first solo tour of the UK in September 2008, a month after hosting the topical Channel 4 show Tonightly.