Jason Manford sings praises of new Starstuck judge Shania Twain after she replaced Sheridan Smith 

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EXCLUSIVE: Jason Manford praises new Starstuck judge Shania Twain after replacing Sheridan Smith on ITV panel

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Jason Manford has sung the praises of his new Starstruck co-star Shania Twain – after she replaced Sheridan Smith on the ITV panel.

The 41-year-old comedian told MailOnline that country pop sensation Shania won’t hold back from sharing showbiz anecdotes and names like Sam Smith, Lionel Richie and Taylor Swift during the second series of the Saturday night show.

In an exclusive chat, Jason revealed that he even got to perform with the That Don’t Impress Me Much singer, as well as alongside host Olly Murs, and fellow judges Adam Lambert and Beverly Knight.

'She's a legend': Jason Manford has sung the praises of his new Starstruck co-star Shania Twain – after she replaced Sheridan Smith on the ITV panel

‘She’s a legend’: Jason Manford has sung the praises of his new Starstruck co-star Shania Twain – after she replaced Sheridan Smith on the ITV panel

Speaking at the Football For Change Fundraising Gala, which was held in conjunction with MailOnline, on Thursday, Jason said: ‘We’ve just finished episode seven of eight, so we’ll have the last one next week.

“I sat next to Shania Twain, which was just incredible. She’s a legend. She brings with her knowledge and a sense of fun, but it has to feel like a night off for her in a way because of the pressure she experiences when she performs.

“She’s there to laugh – she’s paid, but she’s there because it’s fun. She knows everyone.

“She talks about Lionel Richie and Sam Smith and Taylor Swift like I would talk about Dave or Steve at the gym. She doesn’t crack anything – that’s just her world.’

Bafta-winning Sheridan, who recently starred in the film’s sequel, The Railway Children Return, and TV dramas No Return, Four Lives, and The Teacher, quit Starstruck after one series due to “schedule conflicts with a new acting project.” .

New Look: Sheridan quit Starstruck after one series due to 'schedule conflicts with a new acting project', while Shania has joined Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight and Jason on the panel

New Look: Sheridan quit Starstruck after one series due to 'schedule conflicts with a new acting project', while Shania has joined Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight and Jason on the panel

New Look: Sheridan quit Starstruck after one series due to ‘schedule conflicts with a new acting project’, while Shania has joined Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight and Jason on the panel

Jason, father of six, teased a star-studded opening for the upcoming series and even a solo performance from Shania of her brand new single Waking Up Dreaming.

He added: ‘There are a few gigs. We’re doing an opening number, me and the judges and Olly Murs.

“We all sing together, so I had to do a song with Shania Twain, Adam Lambert and Beverly Knight – we should release something.

“In this series there are solo performances by the guys who have released albums, so we got to hear Shania’s new single and stuff, which was great.”

'She's laughing about it': Jason teased a star-studded opening for the upcoming series and even a solo performance from Shania of her brand new single Waking Up Dreaming

'She's laughing about it': Jason teased a star-studded opening for the upcoming series and even a solo performance from Shania of her brand new single Waking Up Dreaming

‘She’s laughing about it’: Jason teased a star-studded opening for the upcoming series and even a solo performance from Shania of her brand new single Waking Up Dreaming

Jason, who impressed as Hedgehog on The Masked Singer, insisted that Starstruck, ITV’s reboot of Stars In Their Eyes, is not like other talent shows because the contestants’ future careers don’t depend on their success in the competition.

He said, “It’s not like other talent shows where one’s whole life rests on getting it right. If anything, being on the show is the prize.

“The talent has been ramped up because a lot more people have seen it. We’ve got Beyoncé’s, Meat Loaf and Shania’s!’

Jason enjoyed a ‘rare night off’ on Thursday to support former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher’s Football For Change Gala.

He was joined by Coleen Rooney, Coronation Street stars Tina O’Brien and Samia Longchambon, and former Love Islander Scott Thomas, all of whom attended the glitzy evening at Manchester’s Old Trafford Cricket Ground to raise money for charity.

Celebrity guests were treated to intimate performances by Spice Girls star Mel C and former Oasis rocker Noel Gallagher, who delighted audiences with renditions of Wonderwall and Don’t Look Back in Anger.

1663933638 761 Jason Manford sings praises of new Starstuck judge Shania Twain

1663933638 761 Jason Manford sings praises of new Starstuck judge Shania Twain