Peter Kay is a comedian, comedy writer, producer, director and actor from Farnworth, in the United Kingdom. Born in 1973, he studies Media Performance at the University of Salford, where he takes a stand-up course and begins developing his performance style.

Early work and stand-up

Before moving into comedy full-time, he works a series of menial jobs, including posts in a toilet roll factory, a Netto supermarket, a cash and carry, a bingo hall and as a cinema usher. Those experiences later feed into material for That Peter Kay Thing. His first stand-up appearance is in a Manchester competition hosted by Dave Spikey, which he wins by beating Johnny Vegas. He also appears in local comedy events and at the Comedy Store in Manchester.

His earliest television appearance is an interview with Granada Television in which he talks about the contents of his room and about meeting Jimmy Savile; that material later reappears in That Peter Kay Thing in the character of Leonard De-Thompkinson. He wins Channel 4’s So You Think You’re Funny competition in 1997, and his first semi-professional stand-up appearances follow at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1998, where he receives a Perrier Award nomination.

Television and mainstream success

Kay reaches a wider audience with Live at the Top of the Tower in 2000, followed by television appearances on programmes including Parkinson and Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. He also works as a warm-up man for Friday Night with Jonathan Ross. Production begins on Phoenix Nights, which brings him both critical acclaim and mainstream success.

Later, advertising for John Smith’s Bitter uses the realistic style associated with Phoenix Nights and helps establish catchphrases including “'Ave it!” and “Two Lamb bhunas”. Kay also appears in a Channel 4 night devoted to him, which includes out-takes from Phoenix Nights, a behind-the-scenes documentary on the Mum Wants a Bungalow tour and the full Peter Kay Live in Manchester show.

Recognition and later projects

In 2003, Peter Kay is named by The Observer as one of the 50 Funniest British Comedians. He also appears in a 2005 poll of comedians and critics to find the Comedian’s Comedian, and in March 2005 he tops a survey by the Jongleurs comedy club chain to find Britain’s favourite comedian. In 2006, a Channel 4 poll places him second in 100 Funniest Moments, largely for a stand-up routine about a family wedding.

He later teams up with Craig Cash of The Royle Family to write a sitcom in which he plays a binman. He is also associated with Peter Kay’s Animated All Star Band.