Peter Kay has opened up about his life in lockdown, ahead of his bestselling autobiography The Sound of Laughter being re-released as an audiobook.
The national treasure's first book is the biggest selling British hardback autobiography of all time and was top of the book charts for 10 weeks in 2006.
It details his life growing up in Bolton, including his time at Mount St Joseph School and a number of part-time jobs he had before breaking into the world of comedy.
READ MORE : The childhood of Peter Kay - including the Bolton street he grew up on
Explaining how the audio version of the book came along, the BAFTA-winning comedian's much-loved humour was very much on show in a rare interview.
"I blame the pandemic," he quipped.
"Mind you people are still blaming the pandemic for everything. You know I still can’t get Porridge at McDonald's because of the pandemic. What’s all that about? It’s oats in a microwave! Or fish fingers with a Happy Meal.
"The truth is Audible approached me during the pandemic to ask if I’d like to record my first book, The Sound Of Laughter, in an effort to try and cheer people up a bit. So hopefully it’ll lift people’s spirits. We all need a laugh. Especially without McDonald's doing porridge."
Peter recorded the book from the comfort of his own home, which he said suited him down to the ground.
He added: "Audible said it was fine, so that made everything much more relaxed. I could record at my own pace and that made the whole experience much more fun as I was able to drift off the subject matter and have a different view about it all these years later.
"I’d never read the book since I wrote it in 2006. It was fascinating, like reading something that somebody else had written. Although weirdly, even though I knew what was coming next, I’d forgotten so much of what I’d written.
"I didn’t start writing until March 2006 and it had to be completed by the June. I remember sitting in my kitchen every day, blue skies outside and there I was typing away. I spent the first few weeks constantly clicking on the thesaurus, looking for better words. I was so self-conscious, I didn’t even have my English GCSE but then slowly I began to find my own voice, and everything began falling into place.
"It turned out I really enjoyed writing the book. I just wanted to make it as funny as possible. Something that people could chuckle at on the beach or on their journey to work."
In 2009, Peter followed The Sound of Laughter up with his second autobiography - Saturday Night Peter. Despite it being extremely popular, he admitted that fatherhood made writing take a back seat.
I suppose it’s like I said before, life gets in the way," he said.
"Becoming a dad changed my priorities.
"The trick is getting the balance right in your life. I think a lot of people were forced to realise that during the pandemic. I think a lot of people’s priorities will have changed forever now. Hopefully for the better."
He has now revealed plans for a third memoir, based on stories from working in TV, after enjoying his sessions recording the audiobook.
"Within the first few chapters of recording, I was inspired to start to write a third book," he added.
"I had the idea about ten years ago - about working in TV. From when I started doing bit parts in Coronation Street right up to 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 and Paddy’s Road To Nowhere, appearing on chat shows like Parkinson, at the Queens Golden Jubilee and sharing letters from Ronnie Barker. We wrote to each other for years as pen-pals until he passed away.
"I’ll no doubt be recording that book too before you know it. I just hope people enjoy it as much as this first one."
Peter Kay’s The Sound of Laughter is available to download on Audible from September 16.
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