Peter Kay is the country's favourite comedian.

The Bolton comic was voted as the best, beating Billy Connolly into second place. Lee Evans came third and The Office's Ricky Gervais was fourth.

The north-south divide was stark in the voting with Peter winning the northern vote, Connolly being voted number one in Scotland and Evans being declared favourite in the south.

A total of 10,000 people were surveyed by Jongleurs Comedy Clubs to mark its 21st anniversary. It is said to be the biggest ever comedy poll. Peter, who used to work at the cinema in Bradshawgate, has seen his career rocket over the past five years. His Phoenix Nights sit-com on Channel 4 and the John Smith's bitter advertisements propelled him into the big league. Peter Kay is calling time on the TV beer advertisements, however. The commercials see Kay top bombing in a swimming pool, starring with Engelbert Humperdinck in a Las Vegas night club and taking on the role of an insensitive wedding DJ who reveals a dark family secret about the bride's father.

He said: "I've decided I'm not going to do any more. They were good, but I always think it's nice to end when it's funny."

The £20million highly successful advertising campaign has netted more than 50 advertising and marketing awards.

A spokesman for John Smiths, said: "In response to Peter's comments on the Parkinson show, we can confirm that his current contract expires later this year."

The Comic Relief single(Is This The Way to) Amarillo featuring Peter and Tony Christie went on sale today.