'Stand-up is my first love'

And in the autumn he has a new series of Phoenix Nights and a 50-date stand-up tour. IAN SAVAGE talks to Peter about scary diving boards, the responsibilities of being a director and the hugely mistaken belief that he's suddenly become a millionaire overnight

So, Peter, what does it feel like to be the new face of John Smith's bitter?

Well, it hasn't really sunk in yet. It's only been on for two nights and probably when it's been on for a few months that's when it'll have an effect. But I am chuffed about being chosen and I am proud of the adverts because they're funny. At least I'm not having to say something naff like 'Mmmmm, this margarine is wonderful' or 'These clothes are whiter than white' thanks to some soap powder.

I believe you've had a few people thinking you're a millionaire now because of the adverts?

I wish. That's because the John Smith's campaign cost £20 million and nutters think that's what I got. As if! All I got was a free trip round the brewery in Chorley and a cardboard cut out of my predecessor...

Is that your friend Patrick McGuiness we can see sitting beside you in the Indian restaurant advert?

Yes, he's there. He came down to London with me when I was filming and they asked if he'd like to be in the advert. We had a great laugh filming them and it relaxed me having him along. He's also in a few of the other adverts that are out later on in the year, including one where I had to jump off a diving board at Crystal Palace -- that was a bit scary. What was especially great about the adverts was that the producer and director encouraged me to ad lib and say whatever I wanted to say. This made them funnier and the atmosphere better on set, as nobody was being precious about the scripts. That's exactly what it's like when we're working on Phoenix Nights.

Are you pleased with the new series of Phoenix Nights?

Oh yes! (Pause). Oh, you want me to tell you more? Well, we finished working on it in March and I think they've all come out very well. It's as funny as the first series and I think the performances from everybody are better. People forget that most of the main cast are stand-up comedians, not actors, and they're also good friends. So I think having me directing this time enabled them to relax and enjoy themselves.

How did you enjoy directing?

It's tough enough writing the series and playing Brian and Max but directing as well sent me over the edge. It was very demanding and I worried a lot about how the thing would turn out. You see I never had that worry on the John Smith adverts as I was just the actor and I think that's why they've turned out so well. Don't get me wrong I think the new series of Phoenix Nights looks the business but I'll always be the worst critic and will always watch it tearing it apart because I'll think it could have been better in places.

Would you direct again?

I don't know right now. It depends how the series goes down and what people think of it when it's shown in the Autumn. Channel 4 are also repeating the last series of Phoenix Nights first so that will help build up momentum.

What was the deal with the rumours about all these famous stars like Eric Clapton and Bono from U2 making an appearance in the series?

Well Bono definitely isn't in it (as he wasn't keen on calling the bingo) but as for the others,well, you'll just have to wait and see.

How do you feel about the stand-up comedy side of things now you're making it on telly and even in films? (Peter had a small, but critically acclaimed, part in the recent Michael Winterbottom movie 24 Hour Party People)

Well stand-up is my first love, (unless you count Carol Farrell, who cracked two of my ribs doing the Hucklebuck at a school disco) and I'm glad to be doing it again. I love doing the stand-up because you get the instant reaction from the audience. The tour that I'm doing in the autumn will be my first ever nationwide tour and it's going to be huge. Fifty nights released first and dependent on how they sell more will be announced.

Will the tour consist of all new material?

It's a difficult balance to strike.

There are still quite a few people who won't have seen my all of my original stuff, so I am obviously going to leave some in there and perhaps update it, but there will be a lot of new stuff there as well. But I'm not going to be doing anything off the Top Of The Tower video as that material has been buried now.

Are you still happy to live in Bolton? Do you never feel like you're missing out being based outside London?

Not at all. I go to London quite regularly but this is my home. All my family and friends are here and I have no desire to move.

Pete's tour datews

SEPTEMBER

16 Buxton: Opera House (0845 1272190)

17 St Helens: Theatre Royal (01744 756 000)

18 Preston: Guildhall (01772 258858)

19 Warrington: Parr Hall (01925 442 3445)

20 Blackburn: King Georges Hall (01254 582 582)

21 Halifax: Victoria Theatre (01422 35 11 58)

23 Southport Theatre (0870 607 7560)

24 Stoke on Trent: Victoria Hall (01782 213800)

25 Kendal: Leisure Centre (01539 729702)

26 Rhyl Theatre (01745 330000)

27 Sheffield: City Hall (0114 2 789789)

28 Liverpool: Royal Court (0151 709 4321)

30 Hull: City Hall (01482 226655)

OCTOBER

1 York: Grand Opera House (01904 671 818)

2 Bradford: St Georges Hall (01274 752000)

3 Huddersfield: Town Hall (01484 223200)

4 Middlesbrough: Town Hall (01642 242 561)

5 Newcastle: City Hall (0191 261 2606)

13 Birmingham: Hippodrome (0870 730 1234)

19 Brighton: Dome Theatre (01273 709709)

20 London: The Palace (0870 890 0142)

24 Ipswich: Regent (01473 433100)

25 Salisbury: City Hall (01722 32 76 76)

26 Croydon: Ashcroft Theatre (0208 6889291)

27 Bristol: Colston Hall (0117 922 3682)

28 Reading: Hexagon (0118 960 6060)

31 Coventry: Warwick Arts Cen (024 76523883)

NOVEMBER

1 Oxford: Apollo (0870 6063500)

2 Derby: Assembly Rooms (01332 255800)

4 Swindon: Wyvern Theatre (01793 52 44 81)

7 Wolverhampton: Civic Hall (01902 552 121)

12 Glasgow: Pavillion (0141 332 1846)

13 Aberdeen: Music Hall (01224 641122)

14 Inverness: Eden (01463 234234)

16 Sunderland: Empire (0191 514 2517)

17 Carlisle: Sands Centre (01228 625222)

20 Nottingham: Royal Centre (0115 989 5555)

24 Leeds: Grand Theatre (0113 2226222)

26 Portsmouth: Guildhall (023 9282 4355)

27 Bournemouth: Pavillion Theatre (01202 456456)

28 Cardiff: St Davids Hall (029 20878444)

29 Cambridge: Corn Exchange (01223 357851)

30 Blackpool: Opera House (01253 292 029)

DECEMBER

2 Manchester: Lowry Centre (0161 8762000) SOLD OUT

3 Manchester: Lowry Centre (0161 8762000) SOLD OUT

4 Manchester: Lowry Centre (0161 8762000)

5 Manchester: Lowry Centre (0161 8762000)

6 Manchester: Lowry Centre (0161 8762000)

7 Manchester: Lowry Centre (0161 8762000)