The Book That's More Than Just a Book - Book

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Is it funny? Some parts may make you smile (depending on your sense of humour, he's not funny to everyone, and not all the time), but I didn't find it a 'laugh out loud' read...

In many ways he's an old fashioned kind of comedian and the scope and enormity of his fanbase reflects this. He doesn't tell jokes about politics or sex, but rather rejoices in the far funnier areas of life: elderly relatives and answering machines, dads dancing badly at weddings, garlic bread and cheesecake, your mum's HRT... We all took turns, boys versus girls, and Suggs dished out the points. What’s not to love? Easy TV while drying your hair, before going clubbing on a Saturday night. I was sat in the canteen once chatting to the lovely Keith Chegwin. He was being very candid about his drink problems and he was quite the sharer. For those who don't know who the Hell Peter Kay is; he's a Northern English (Bolton, Lancashire) comedian ;) Kay’s most recent hit was Car Share which saw him star alongside close friend Sian Gibson. The BBC show which aired from 2015-2018 was set around supermarket assistant manager John Redmond (Kay) and promotions rep Kayleigh Kitson (Gibson) who drove to work together. The rating of this book is reflective of the story rather than the writing skill. There are no errors or structural problems and it is easy to read and vaguely interesting.I bought and read this book in about 2008, even though I don't generally go for memoirs or biographies, as such (though I am aware that I've read a couple more; one was a biography on Kevin Costner)... I’d been grabbing every opportunity with both hands in an effort to get my foot in the door, going from job to job for years and not considering what really mattered.” He later writes: “The series did incredibly well, but despite having so much fun I decided to heed Noddy Holder’s advice. Perhaps it was time to get my priorities right. Maybe that’s why we never did a second series.” Two hugely talented people that made so many of us laugh. I’m telling you, soak up the comedians while they’re still here, these clowns that light up our lives, because when they’re gone, they’re gone. People are always surprised at the void they leave.” ON GAMESHOWS

HarperCollins has won the bidding war to publish this third memoir from the superstar comedian, confirming today: "HarperCollins Publishers has acquired World English language rights to T.V.: Big Adventures On The Small Screen, by Britain's best-loved comedian, Peter Kay." The book comes after Bolton-born Kay returned to the spotlight last year beginning his first live comedy shows in 12 years in December as part of an arena tour spanning to 2025 due to public demand. It is his first live tour since 2010, when he scored the Guinness World Record for the biggest selling run of all time, playing to more than 1.2 million people. Kay cancelled his last tour in December 2017, citing “unforeseen family circumstances”. Here are some of the highlights, anecdotes and stories from the new book about his career..... ON CAR SHARE He said: "Within the first few chapters of recording, I was inspired to start to write a third book. Here, for the first time, he collects his TV memories and adventures together in this brilliant book. Join Peter as he finds success on the small screen, leaving his own unique footprint in the golden age of TV: from making tea at Granada Studios and marching along to (Is This the Way to) Amarillo to hanging out in the Rovers Return, having run-ins with Bernard Manning and starring in possibly the worst Doctor Who episode of all time. You'll go behind the scenes of the legendary Phoenix Nights, take The Road to Nowhere with Max & Paddy and discover how Peter created his BAFTA-winning performance in Car Share.It's been a real joy recalling the memories. There's over 20 years of stories about filming series like Phoenix Nights and Max & Paddy's Road To Nowhere. But the show did not go completely smoothly, partly down to Paddy’s timekeeping. Kay says: “All I can remember is a lot of laughter. Especially from Paddy and me. That’s when he managed to turn up for filming. He was a bugger for being late in the mornings. Peter Kay's unerring gift for observing the absurdities and eccentricities of family life has earned himself a widespread, everyman appeal. These vivid observations coupled with a kind of nostalgia that never fails to grab his audience's shared understanding, have earned him comparisons with Alan Bennett and Ronnie Barker. However, he said recording the book made him miss writing and there is now a new book in the works. I listened to the audiobook as I figured having the man himself read his own book would be on the money. Hmmm. It was ok, but the actual reading was quite strained and sometimes painful. Much better when he strays off-script and wanders off on a distraction, which let’s face it is the style of him in action.

In his award winning TV series' he creates worlds populated by degenerate, bitter, useless, endearing and always recognisable characters which have attracted a huge and loyal following.Peter Kay said today: "I'd wanted for years to write about my obsession for TV and working in it. It's been such a massive pleasure recalling the adventures I've had over the last twenty-five years both in front and behind the camera, and I hope people will enjoy reading about the journey as much as I've enjoyed writing it."

As for my criticism of autobiographies published too early in someone’s career, well The Sound of Laughter only covers Peter Kay’s life up to him breaking through as a stand up comedian. There’s nothing about his successes such as Pheonix Night’s, Car Share or his uproariously funny stand up tours. So there is room for another volume - maybe at the end of his long and illustrious career! What you do get here amongst the jokes and laughter is a story of someone who worked hard to get where he is. Having had several part time jobs along the way. I think for me what sums him up is the fact it took him 5 tests and 6 years to pass his driving test, he never gave up. A spin off after Phoenix Nights, Max and Paddy’s Road To Nowhere featured Kay and Paddy McGuinness as two Bolton doormen Max Bygraves (Kay) and Paddy O’Shea (McGuinness) as they tour around the UK in their campervan. The Channel 4 series began in November 2004 and although it only ran for one series is fondly remembered by fans. I was thoroughly disappointed, however, with the plot. As a memoir the plot suffers from being a report of the truth which in the case of Mr Kay seems to be surprisingly dull. If you think that what he found was funny, it was not. It was like a grocery list of things you’d find in a desk. Sometimes he’d be reading, and he’d remember something not included in the ‘official’ version that he was actually reading from, then share a story, only to realize after he started reading again that he’d written it after all, so then I’d have to listen to it again. It was so weird. Kay recalls: “What a lovely fella he was. We spent a lot of time together and he gave me some advice that literally changed my life forever. I was talking about the tour I’d done the previous year and that I’d made some money from it. He said you want to use that money to buy yourself some time with your family.

Peter Kay performed lollipop lady skit on Michael Parkinson's last show

So many potholes everywhere. We’d be juddering and banging over them constantly. All of the cameras would shake themselves loose. So we’d all have to pull over and re-tighten all of the equipment before it fell off.” ON LOSING FRIENDS I had the idea about 10 years ago. All about working in TV. From when I started doing bit parts in Coronation Street right up to Car Share.