IT'S not often the main act on the bill cancels at the last minute through illness and is replaced by an a bigger star!

Peter Kay stepped in to the headline slot after Johnny Vegas had been forced to pull out.

The opening night of Laughingas, Bolton's latest attempt at a comedy club, could so easily have been a disaster. But it was a resounding success.

At last we got what Bolton has been crying out for - a packed house (I even clocked a Coronation Street star in the audience), and quality entertainers who deserve to be household names.

One of those is already achievijng this. Daubhill's own Kay is already making his way in television to the point where he is a local celebrity.

Kay lamented during his performance that he had only ever done one gig in Bolton before last night and is was a disaster. Thankfully the down-to-earth funnyman, who spares no-one in his routine, has now added a triumphant gig in his home town to his impressive CV.

Then there is Hovis Presley, a truly phenomenal talent, an alternative poet whose skill manipulating words and humour is outstanding.

I have seen him several times, but last night was the best yet. He revelled in the full house, milking it for all it was worth.

Francis Gilbraith was first on to the stage - always a thankless task - the opening act on the opening act. But I liked him also, especially his gags about teachers. Laughingas is back again every Thursday from now on, and if they can maintain this sort of quality then it will be packed every week. NICK JACKSON

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.