BOLTON comedian Dave Spikey is hoping to be reunited with Phoenix Nights co-star Peter Kay for a one-off Christmas special of the show.

The Dead Man Weds star, who was once Bolton Hospital's chief medical scientist, specialising in haematology, told an internet comedy site that he hoped to team up with Peter again following the end of his own series last month.

He says there are plenty of ideas for the show, including a visit from Father Christmas and more cabaret-based hi-jinks, but says that the final decision on the reunion would lie with Peter Kay, the shows creator.

Dead Man Weds, which also starred comedian Johnny Vegas as a local newspaper reporter, was hit by low ratings, and ITV have decided not to recommission it.

But Dave still hopes the show will return, and said: "Although it's dead and buried I have a glimmer of optimism that someone may come along and rescue it. It happened to Men Behaving Badly."

"Because we were up against Desperate Housewives we didn't stand a chance. It deserved another series. I had one planned in my head."