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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Thomas Molloy

Who is the best-ever Peter Kay TV character? The viewers decide

Since That Peter Kay thing first aired in 2000, the Bolton comedian has created and played a number of hilarious characters on our television screens.

From nightclub owner Brian Potter to pop star Geraldine McQueen, and everyone in between, there are certainly plenty to choose from.

But everyone has their favourite - and you can vote for yours in the poll below.

We will report back on the verdict of the most important people in TV - the viewers.

We'll also reveal the answers in our Peter Kay quiz later this week. Follow us on the MyBolton Facebook page for more details.

So which Peter Kay character do you like the best?

Brian Potter

The owner of the Phoenix Club and the ill-fated Neptune Club, Brian has become one of the most loved and quoted characters from Phoenix Nights.

Originally pencilled in to be played by controversial comedian Bernard Manning, it's difficult to imagine anyone filling Brian's wheelchair as well as Peter himself.

Maxwell Bygraves

(Channel 4)

Doorman Max and his sidekick Paddy (Paddy McGuinness) became so popular that they ended up getting their own spin-off show.

Still to this day, clips of Max are regularly shared on Twitter - the brilliant 'Max and Paddy Quote's account has more than 82,000 followers.

Keith Lard

Fire safety officer Keith Lard is the big success story of early series That Peter Kay Thing and made a further appearance in Phoenix Nights.

Known for 'allegedly' interfering with dogs and his overly cautious approach to fire safety, Keith's character actually landed Kay in hot water due to perceived similarities to a real life fire safety officer from Bolton called Keith Laird.

John Redmond

Peter Kay in Car Share (PA)

Peter Kay's most recent TV series is the much-loved Car Share, which was watched on average by 6.8 million people per episode.

The 'will they, won't they' dynamic between John and Kayleigh is heartwarming throughout and the on-screen chemistry made it a hit.

Geraldine McQueen

(Press Association)

Talent show spoof 'Britain's Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice' is best remembered for Kay's red haired singer Geraldine McQueen.

Owing to the popularity of the character, Geraldine actually managed to score two top five singles with 'The Winner's Song' and 'Once Upon a Christmas Song'. The character even duetted with Susan Boyle.

Eric Gartside

(ITV Granada)

Corrie fan Peter appeared in the soap on two separate occasions but it's his second turn as hapless Eric Gartside that lives long in the memory.

Eric had a disastrous date with Shelley Unwin, played by Peter's real life close friend Sally Lindsay.

Mr Softy Top

While That Peter Kay Thing did not enjoy as much success as Phoenix Nights, 'The Ice Cream Man Cometh' is among Peter Kay's best work.

Mr Softy Top (or Robert Edge as he is really called) is without doubt one of his finest creations and his rivalry with Signor Whippy (also played by Kay) is the 99 flake on top.

You can have your say in our poll above - we'll report back with the verdict and don't forget to follow the MyBolton Facebook page for details of our Peter Kay quiz.

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