Peter Kay Unveils Ambitious Comeback for Beloved Channel 4 Classic 'Phoenix Nights': A Film and Festive Special in the Works

 

Peter Kay Unveils Ambitious Comeback for Beloved Channel 4 Classic 'Phoenix Nights': A Film and Festive Special in the Works

Peter Kay has expressed his eagerness to resurrect his beloved comedy series, Phoenix Nights, in the form of a film. The 50-year-old comedian, known for his iconic role as wannabe businessman Brian Potter, has been quietly developing storylines and plots for the show over the past two decades.

In his latest book, titled "T.V.: Big Adventures on the Small Screen," Peter revealed that he continues to jot down creative ideas for Phoenix Nights. One such idea he shared was Brian hiring Young Kenny to paint an enormous letter 'H' on the club's roof to advertise a non-existent helicopter pad. He humorously acknowledged the likelihood of a helicopter ever landing there as zero. As the years have passed, Peter jokingly remarked that he's becoming more like Brian Potter himself. Still, he suggested that a Phoenix Nights revival, if it were to happen, should be for something truly special, possibly even as a feature film. He even whimsically proposed the idea of Brian encountering three ghosts, akin to a classic Christmas tale.

Should this film project materialize, it would mark two decades since the eponymous social club first opened its doors, launching the careers of both Peter Kay and his co-star, Paddy McGuinness. The original series, which aired from 2001 to 2002, followed Peter's character's quest to make his club the biggest in Bolton, despite the previous two clubs burning down.

Peter also expressed his desire to film a Christmas special of the spin-off show, "Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere," which he co-starred in with Paddy McGuinness. They've already crafted an episode in which the two bouncers work in a grotto, dressed as elves, and are comically "overly aggressive" with the kids. Reflecting on these ideas, Peter expressed his excitement at the prospect of working with Paddy again.

Paddy, in a March radio interview, hinted at the possibility of reviving "Max and Paddy's Road To Nowhere," suggesting that they are open to the idea. He revealed that they had even written Christmas specials for the show in the past but never released them.

While Paddy joked about being inherently lazy these days, he did confirm that scripts are ready and waiting should they decide to proceed with the show. He acknowledged that creating a scripted comedy series is a time-consuming endeavor and would require a significant commitment from both of them. Currently, their schedules are packed, with Peter on tour and Paddy having various commitments. Therefore, finding the time to bring these projects to life is the primary challenge.

"Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere" is a spin-off of the popular "Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights" and follows the adventures of doormen Patrick 'Paddy' O'Shea and Maxwell 'Max' Bygraves as they embark on a campervan tour across the UK. The duo originally went on the run from a club patron who had threatened their lives in "Phoenix Nights."

Peter and Paddy have previously reprised their roles for a parody fitness DVD in 2005 and performed in "Phoenix Nights Live" in Manchester in 2015 for Comic Relief, showcasing the enduring popularity of their characters and the series.