As a team captain on hit TV show 8 out of 10 Cats, Jason Manford has become, if not a household name, then at least a household face.

His witty banter with host Jimmy Carr and rival captain Sean Lock make the show one of the funniest on the box. A hard-working television comic and stand-up, he has earned his fair share of awards and nominations — including winning the 2005 Writers Guild of Great Britain Award, The List's Best Comedy Newcomer for his debut Edinburgh show Urban Legend, and the Chortle Award for Best Breakthrough Act.

When The Guide spoke to Jason Manford, he was in Ibiza, like a cold blooded reptile taking in the sun for energy, he was there to relax before starting an ambitious, date-heavy, debut solo tour.

I asked him what he was filling his days with while on holiday? "Relaxing and steering clear of dangerous activities," he said.

"I ventured on to a pedalo yesterday, but that's as crazy as I'm getting!"

He giggled as he explained his brother-in-law was trying to get him on what Manford described as "a dangerous banana boat".

We discussed the merits of insurance deals and how maybe his brother by marriage had taken one out on his life, and then I remembered that telephoning Ibiza isn't cheap, so I hurried the conversation on to the reason for my call — his tour.

The tour which started yesterday is a mammoth one — running until after Christmas, and calling in at Oxford next Thursday and Didcot the day after.

Most comedians decide to name their tours, so I asked Manford if his was an exception to the rule. It turned out it was.

"I would have called the tour 'Funny Things I Think' if I could afford the pay-per-word poster charges," he said.

A mine of topical information, his tour will be punctuated by the weekly filming of 8 out of 10 Cats in London. So as well as local issues in each town, he has to keep abreast of all world issues too.

"I promise to buy the Oxford Mail while in Oxford to ensure that I'm fully up to date with local news," he laughed.

The tour promises to be an exhausting experience. "I'll be in need of another holiday after the tour," he confessed.

"I am hoping to avoid tour fever and the nearly inevitable service station issues, though — like having favourite stop-off points defined by the choice of fast food restaurants and toilet preferences. It really is quite sad!"

Manford is looking forward to performing in Oxford, comparing its size and audience diversity to Manchester — where he went to university.

"I remember Oxford from performing in Jongleurs," he says. "There were lots of bikes."

After making him laugh telling him off with an obvious bike-related joke he offered me a five minute stand-up slot. I hasten to say, the offer was graciously declined.

So what happens after the tour?

"I have fingers in many pies," he says. "Radio, TV, stand-up... and while I'm enjoying it, I would like to continue."

He then goes into a mini-rant about the over use of the word 'celebrity'.

"It's over-used. I would have to get a lot bigger and sustain this for about 20 years before I could be classed as one."

So there you have it: Go and see him, but please don't mention the 'c' word!

Catch Jason Manford at The OFS Studio, in George Street, Oxford on Thursday and at Didcot's newly opened Cornerstone arts centre next Friday.