Kay tells ’em at a fair clip

PETER KAY’S COMEDY SHUFFLE BBC1, 9pm

IT’S some going to be the nation’s favourite comedian for close to two decades. But with all the accolades, awards and records that stack up against Peter Kay’s name, it’s pretty much a given that he holds the title.

The Bolton funnyman’s TV career started back in 1997, which has presumably been the reason for this comedy compilation series. Not that the Beeb would need one – a clip show that doesn’t cost much time or cash to make and will bring in millions of viewers? Yes please.

And there are clips from one of his earliest series here, as we meet Leonard – the world’s oldest paperboy, a big-hearted Christian with a penchant for terrible jokes.

There’s also one of the highlights from his most recent TV effort, the safari park episode of Car Share, where an escaped monkey goes rogue on John’s backseat.

There are reminders of the genius of his early stand-up as he does the “back off holiday and waiting for your luggage” routine.

It’s the stuff that made him so relatable, his ability to take the mundane and make it hilarious.

Whereas the clips from his later record-breaking The Tour That Doesn’t Tour Tour – which saw him perform to 1.2million people – could provide evidence for the critics who say he’s lost his “man of the people” touch and become self-indulgent.

In it, the millionaire lived out his fantasy of being a rock star and played guitar using a shovel, with fireworks and glitter explosions, singing along to Queen in front of an adoring and ecstatic crowd.

If you’re going to be doing this for another 20 years, Peter, our advice is ditch the rock anthems and get back to telling great jokes.