Jason Manford kicked off his first day as a delivery driver for Iceland on Tuesday.
The funnyman, 39, took to Instagram to share a selfie while sitting in the front of his van in his uniform while sharing a caption alongside the shot reading: ‘I’m guessing this is why mum’s go to Iceland @IcelandFoods’.
It comes a month after the supermarket offered him a job after his application to work as a driver for Tesco was rejected – a decision he claimed to be ‘livid’ about.
Frontline: Jason Manford kicked off his first day as a delivery driver for Iceland on Tuesday
Jason pulled a serious pout as he posed for the selfie while donning a black hat with the supermarket logo on the front and a matching top.
Last month, he joked he was ‘livid’ that Tesco had declined his application and admitted that he was ‘only trying to do his bit’ amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Iceland replied to his tweet offering him work for a day and promising to make a donation to the NHS in his name.
In response to Tesco’s rejection, Jason had posted: ‘Absolutely livid Tesco. I was only trying to do my bit.
That’s why comedians go to Iceland! It comes a month after the supermarket offered him a job after his application to work as a driver for Tesco was rejected – a decision he claimed to be ‘livid’ about
Job offer: Iceland Foods replied to Jason’s tweet, saying he can work with them for a day and the supermarket will make a donation to the NHS
Thanks, but no thanks! The star’s post, which appeared to be in jest, also included a screenshot of the email he received informing him they wouldn’t be pursuing his application
He went on to joke that he’ll be keeping an eye on the new employee, and said: ‘I hope the better person got and enjoys the job, I’ll be watching.’
But Iceland stepped in, saying: ‘Our door is always open for you. Help us out for the day and we’ll make a donation to the NHS in your name.’
Jason’s original post had included a screenshot of Tesco’s rejection email informing him they wouldn’t be pursuing his application.
The email read: ‘Hello Jason, we appreciate your interest to work for Tesco during these unprecedented times and thank you for your application for the Customer Assistant – Convenience.
‘Regrettably we are unable to progress your application forward this time as the vacancy is now closed. Unfortunately, due to such a high volume of applications we are unable to provide any detailed feedback.
Declined: The comedian said he was ‘livid’ that the store had declined his application and admitted that he was ‘only trying to do his bit’ amid the coronavirus pandemic
‘If you are interest in other opportunities at Tesco, or would like to be kept in the loop about future jobs that may be right for you, keep your Tesco Career Centre up to date.’
Jason had applied for a role at the Alderley Road Express in Wilmslow, which is local to his Cheshire home where he lives with wife Lucy Dyke and their children.
Tesco responded to Jason following his posts on social media and claimed that he was rejected because he didn’t meet the deadline for the application.
Fuming: In response to the rejection, he posted on Instagram: ‘ Absolutely livid Tesco. I was only trying to do my bit’
Wanting to help: Jason later defended his post after people accused him of ‘taking the p**s’ by applying for a job at his local supermarket
A Tesco spokesman said: ‘We’ve recruited around 50,000 temporary workers during the Coronavirus pandemic and they have played a huge part in helping us to serve customers safely during these unprecedented times.
‘Jason’s skills would have no doubt brought a lot of joy to our customers and colleagues, so it’s a shame he didn’t make the deadline for this vacancy. But should he ever want to join the Tesco family in the future, we’d be happy to receive an application from him.’
Jason later defended his post after people accused him of ‘taking the p**s’ by applying for a job at his local supermarket.
He said: ‘A few people thought I was taking the p**s, being insensitive or making it up about my previous message about being turned down for a job as a Tesco driver.
Struggle: Last month, Jason admitted he broke down in tears at the thought of having to learn to be a ‘full-time dad’ again in lockdown, speaking during an appearance on The Steph Show
‘I applied 7 weeks ago when I thought, like everyone, it was basically wartime and it would require all hands on deck.
‘Curtains got cancelled on the 16th & I applied on the 21st fo quite a few jobs). I have since managed to fill my ‘spare time’ doing some volunteer driving (this is not ‘virtue signalling’, just defending myself!) and homeschooling 6 kids (and doing our little quizzes and kids’ comedy clubs!) and being made to clean my own house by my wife.
‘At the same time I also don’t believe “we’re all this together”. I’m more aware than ever the differences in society & chatting to some of the people I’ve driven the last few weeks has only highlighted how hard the lockdown has been for people with less money and space.
‘I feel extremely fortunate. Hope you’re all keeping safe and being kind to yourself and to others.
Big brood: The star has three children with first spouse Catherine and two young kids with TV producer wife Lucy Dyke