Peter Kay reveals plans for classic Channel 4 comedy Phoenix Nights to return as film and Christmas special

Peter Kay has revealed his desire to revive his classic comedy Phoenix Nights as a film.

The comedian, 50, admitted that he has been working on storylines and plots in recent years, more than two decades after it was first shown on TV.

In his new book TV: Big Adventures on the Small Screen, Peter said: ‘I still write down ideas.

“I only had the idea today that Brian Young Kenny was going to have a huge letter ‘H’ painted on the roof of the club so he can advertise that they have a helipad.

‘The chance that a helicopter will ever land is of course zero.

“As the years go by, I’m starting to become more like Brian, but if Phoenix Nights came around again it would have to be for something really special, maybe a movie?

“Maybe Brian can be visited by three ghosts. Wouldn’t that be an idea?’

If the film were to grace British cinemas, it would mark 20 years since the eponymous social club first opened its doors, fueling the careers of both Kay, who played wannabe businessman Brian Potter, and co-star Paddy McGuinness.

The series ran from 2001 to 2002 and followed Peter’s character as he tried to make his club the biggest in Bolton after the last two burned down.

Peter also added that he wanted to film a Christmas special of spin-off Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere with his former co-star.

They wrote an episode where the two bouncers work in a cave dressed as elves, where they are “overly aggressive” with the kids.

Peter added: ‘When I think back about it I realize how much joy it could be to film it one day and work with Paddy again.’

Earlier this year, co-star Paddy teased a possible return of his beloved sitcom Max and Paddy’s Road To Nowhere.

Comedian and friend Peter starred in the Channel 4 comedy show in 2004, which lasted just six episodes.

But in a radio interview in March, Paddy hinted they wouldn’t rule out the return of spin-off show Phoenix Nights, teasing: ‘Never say never.’

The TV star also told how he and stand-up legend Peter had already written a number of Christmas specials for the show, but never got around to releasing them at the time.

Speaking on Capital Breakfast with Roman Kemp, Paddy said: “We do talk about it and what have you, but I don’t know, I can’t, I can’t see it at the moment, but we never say never. but it’s good to talk.

‘Like Max and Paddy for example, we wrote a few Christmas specials and we still got them.

“And we never got around to continuing, for whatever reason at the time. But we really have them!’

The Take Me Out presenter then confirmed that there are scripts waiting in the wings, should they ever be needed.

He then joked, “Nowadays I’m naturally lazy. That’s why I prefer to do as little as possible for as much money as possible.’

Radio presenter Chris Stark then tried to persuade Paddy to continue with the show, saying: ‘But the Christmas special, wait a minute, like you’re sitting down, a Max and Paddy has been made. But you say you’re also… you didn’t say lazy?”

Paddy then confirmed ‘Lazy…’, to which Chris replied: ‘Okay, you said it. Are you too lazy to release it? What must we do?’

Paddy then explained: ‘No, the thing is, if you make a scripted comedy show, it takes a long time.

“So to do something like that, you literally have to drain 12 months of your life, and really right now. I mean, he’s on tour.

“I have a lot going on, and it just goes, ‘Okay, let’s get together. Let’s keep our agendas together. And let’s clear that time for a moment.’

The series, a spin-off from Peter Kay’s Phoenix Nights, follows doormen Patrick ‘Paddy’ O’Shea and Maxwell ‘Max’ Bygraves as they tour Britain in a camper van.

The duo were on the run from a club patron who threatened to have them killed by a hit man in Phoenix Nights.

Peter and Paddy reprized their roles in a 2005 parody fitness DVD, while they also starred in Phoenix Nights Live in Manchester for Comic Relief in 2015.