Jason Manford to star in The Producers

Jason Manford made his stage debut in Sweeney Todd in 2012

Comedian Jason Manford is to star in a UK tour of hit musical The Producers as downtrodden accountant Leo Bloom.

The comedy, based on the Mel Brooks' Oscar-winning film, has won 12 Tony Awards and three Olivier Awards.

The former One Show host said he was "thrilled" to be starring in his "favourite musical of all time".

He said: "Mel Brooks is a genius and I'm so excited to be playing the iconic role he created." The tour will start in Bromley, south London, next March.

In a statement, Mel Brooks said: "It's brilliant to see The Producers being brought to life again with this new production and I can't wait to see what Jason Manford brings to the role of Leo."

Manford, who found fame as team captain on 8 Out of 10 Cats, has also hosted a number of prime-time TV shows including Sunday Night at the Palladium.

The award-winning comedian has had acting roles in Shameless and Moving On and will star in BBC TV's forthcoming drama Ordinary Lies.

Manford made his stage debut in the West End production of Sweeney Todd alongside Michael Ball and Imelda Staunton in 2012 and won critical acclaim as Italian barber Adolfo Pirelli.

But he admitted at the time that he had been bitten by the theatrical bug and hoped to do a longer role.