The Sun newspaper is today running a front-page exposé relating to the private life of Jason Manford which is likely to damage the stand-up star's clean cut image.

The paper reports that the comedian sent 'sleazy sex messages' to a female fan via social networking website Twitter.

The 29 year-old 8 Out Of 10 Cats star, who has been married to his wife Catherine for three years and expecting a third child with her next month, sent multiple private messages to 22-year-old Twitter user Debra McNamee. The comedian reportedly asked McNamee to send him topless snaps, and later described in detail how he had performed a sex act while looking at them.

McNamee told the paper: "Jason's got a reputation as being very clean-cut - but there's obviously a more sleazy side to him too. I was really shocked by the way he pursued me and I think most people will be too. If I were his wife today I'd be furious."

She added: "When I first sent a message to him I thought he'd never reply. Famous people never do and I was surprised when he got in touch. At first he just asked me about my dog and what I was up to and things like that. But after a while it started to get a bit more flirty. When he thought no one would know, he started getting more and more racy in what he said. I think he was bored on tour and thought he'd never get found out. He'd ask me for photos and then tell me how excited he was by them. He asked me if I could keep it secret and he told me I looked sexy. It made me feel good, but I was quite shocked about what was going on. It was very different from how he seems on the TV and on stage."

Responding to the report, Manford said last night: "I'd like to apologise to anyone this has offended. I can see now that what started out as a bit of messing about and having a laugh on Twitter has been misjudged and I'd like to apologise to anyone that this has offended as that was the last thing I ever intended to do."

The stand-up, who is currently on a year-long tour, has been building a clean cut image co-presenting on the BBC's high profile daily magazine programme The One Show. However, this newspaper story is likely to cause significant damage to this image.

Manford doesn't present The One Show on Fridays, as that task falls to Chris Evans, however he is due on stage tonight for a sold-out gig at the Corn Exchange in Cambridge.

To read the newspaper's full report visit www.thesun.co.uk