Peter Kay's first big break was as star and writer of The Services, a spoof one-off Channel 4 documentary set in a motorway service station (filmed at Rivington), in which Peter played five characters and was nominated for his first Royal Television Society Award for best actor.

Following critical acclaim Channel Four then awarded him his own series.

Peter co-wrote, co-produced and starred in several roles in a collection of six individual comedies shot mockumentary style titled That Peter Kay Thing, narrated by Andrew Sachs.

Again, this was filmed in and around Bolton and in it he played 15 characters, including a psychotic ice cream man and the town's oldest paper boy.

This unique hybrid of comedy and drama, fused with documentary, won Peter Best New Comedy Series at the British Comedy Awards 2000.

The success of the show led to the now legendary Phoenix Nights, which has attracted a huge following.

Two series of this acutely observed comedy set in a northern social club (filmed at St Gregory's in Farnworth) have been rapturously received by critics and audiences.

The first series was a big seller on video and DVD and the second series is due to be released in those formats in October.

And Peter says a third series of Phoenix Nights is a distinct possibility: "Only time will tell, but I honestly don't think we've seen the last of Brian Potter and the rest of the gang."