Peter Kay has revealed the moment he knew he could be a comic and get people roaring with laughter – when he got a big laugh playing a lion at school. In a new Radio 2 interview with Sara Cox, the former Phoenix Nights creator spoke about performing as a youngster.
Sara asked him if he was a bit of a class clown and Kay replied: 'Yeah, I were almost more comfortable making people laugh. It always seems that was the only thing I was ever really good at.' He added that his school had nuns as teachers, who were not very theatrical, and drama was limited. He recalled being in the choir and once getting told off by a nun (whom he jokingly called 'Sister Sledge') for offering Mary and Joseph an ensuite with a full English during a nativity play.
Kay said his big break came in fifth year when he auditioned for the lion in The Wizard of Oz and got the part. 'That was a real… the moment. I thought I really love making people laugh.' He explained that during one performance, he decided to improvise: he got up and danced around on stage, got a great reaction, then danced off to say hello to his mum, and even cocked his leg on some girls dressed as trees. After the show, Sister Sledge told him off, asking if that was what he wanted to be when he grew up – a comedian. 'And then I wanted to say yeah but her hand was round me windpipe,' Kay joked.
Kay was promoting his new book 'Peter Kay's Diary: The Monthly Memoir Of a Boy From Bolton' and said he enjoys writing despite failing GCSE English. He has also extended his tour, with proceeds from final shows going to 12 cancer charities. During the interview, he spoke about his comedy heroes, including Ronnie Barker, who wrote to him in character as Norman Fletcher from Porridge, and Billy Connolly, whom he still keeps in touch with.
