GET ready for some reet good northern comedy as Jason Manford heads up a festive event full of music and funnies.

The Salford-born comic will be joining special guests to the stage for his Christmas concert next month, which will feature Liverpool funnyman John Bishop, Salford singer Russell Watson, and former Coronation Street actress Michelle Keegan.

The concert will also include a sixty-piece orchestra as well as a 200-strong choir, along with a performance from Britain's Got Talent winners Collabro.

For those struggling to get in the Christmas spirit, songs such as Oh Holy Night, White Christmas, Christmas Song, Winter Wonderland, Jingle Bells, Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Silent Night should do the trick — and all proceeds for the event will go to the Children's Adventure Farm.

The 34-year-year old is a self-confessed Christmas lover — but his family has a rather unusual festive tradition.

He said: "Christmas is that time of year where you can turn work off and just focus on your family. I don't know what we're doing this year but usually we go out for a meal, but rather than a traditional dinner with turkey and all the trimmings, we have a festive curry.

"None of us really like turkey — I know it's a bit controversial. One year one of us said we weren't that fussed about it, then everyone followed suit. My nana is the exception — she can't eat curry, so she will always order a Christmas dinner. At the Indian restaurant."

This Christmas concert fill follow on from last year's sell-out debut.

He said: "This year will be fantastic — we have a 60-piece orchestra, a 200-strong choir and a great line up of singers and comedians. You don't often get the chance to be involved in something like this.

"This year it's quite a northern line up — we have John Bishop, Rebecca Adlington will be doing a festive reading and Michelle Keegan is also coming along. Collabro, Britain's Got Talent winners from last year, will also be performing, and hopefully a couple of others that haven't been confirmed yet."

This year people have the chance to join Jason on stage by taking part in an X Factor-style competition.

Jason said: "I've always been able to sing — it's something that my parents did, and my grandmother was the lead singer in a band, so it runs in the family.

"We've decided to open it up a bit and get people to upload videos of themselves singing Christmas carols to our website, then we'll pick a winner to come and sing on stage with me."

As well as his stand up shows and TV appearances, Jason likes to bring top comic talent to smaller venues at Manford's Comedy Club — and admits he would like to find a venue in Bolton.

He said: "I would love to do something in Bolton for the comedy club. We just need to find the right venue. Find me a place and I'll be there."

Jason Manford and guests with the Piccadilly Symphony Orchestra will take place at Manchester Bridgewater Hall on December 8. To enter the competition, visit jasonmanfordschristmas.com.