THEY were famous from the second they were born -- and now they are television celebrities.

But fame will not go to the heads of this tiny trio -- for they are barely 20 months old.

Within two months of becoming Bolton's first Millennium triplets, little Jessica, Lara and Benjamin were snapped up by a Granada producer to appear in the TV hit comedy Cold Feet.

Now they are smiling their way through scenes on the top-rated ITV1 show, playing the baby "twins" of characters Karen and David.

Their real life father, Bolton-based police officer Andy Bateson, from Sharples, said the triplets -- who are used in rotation depending on whether one looks bored, tired or upset -- appeared to be enjoying their role.

He said: "The cast members are fantastic with them and we are all well looked after.

"When we were approached by a producer we took time out to think about it. But then we thought it would be a nice experience for us all and we are glad we said yes."

The babies are now becoming more aware of being on the show having spent 36 days filming scenes for series three and four.

But when asked if he would like his children to become actors in the future, he said: "It would be entirely up to them. I would have no objections if that's what they wanted."

Cold Feet follows the life of six friends battling to make the best of their careers, families and relationships.

It stars Helen Baxendale, who had a role in US sitcom Friends, as well as James Nesbitt, John Thomson, and Fay Ripley. Hermoine Norris plays Karen Marsden while Robert Bathurst, plays her husband, David.

The babies became the first Millennium triplets in the North-west when their mother, Fiona, gave birth at the Princess Maternity Unit in Manchester.

Their parents, who have a four-year-old son, Zachary, are often stopped in the street by people wanting to take a look at the trio.

Fiona said it once took five hours to walk round the Trafford Centre because they were stopped so often. Cold Feet is shown on ITV1 on Sunday and Monday at 9pm with repeats on ITV2 later in the week. TREBLE JOY: Jessica, Lara and Benjamin Bateson TEAM PHOTOGRAPH: The triplets pictured with mum and dad (right) and Cold Feet cast members TOP SHOW: The Cold Feet cast