Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights
Set in a northern social club, Peter Kay co-writes and stars as a range of characters in this unique comedy classic. Peter plays Brian Potter, the wheelchair-bound owner of the fire-blighted Phoenix Club in Bolton who's determined to see it rise from the ashes. Aiding Brian at the Phoenix are his motley staff: the resident MC Jerry St Clair (Dave Spikey), the dangerously keen electrician/DJ Ray, the useless doormen Max and Paddy, the bar and cleaning staff Holy Mary and Marion, the gormless handyman Kenny and the musical twosome Alan and Les (Les Alanos).
Phoenix Nights Series 1 sees legendsary social club owner Brian Potter and his hapless band of staff and regulars determined to make the Phoenix Club a success, no matter what. Not even a racist folk band, an unforeseeable psychic or a drunken horse will get in the way of their dream that "club land will never die".
In Series 2, life is not going Brian Potter's way. He has lost everything ... his license, his friends and his beloved Phoenix Club in a mysterious fire. But as Brian says, "there's only one way to go when you're on the bones of your arse and that's up". Brian rallies the old gang back together, it's time to raise the Phoenix from the flames once again.
Brian Potter
Played by Peter Kay, Potter is the club's owner and licensee of the Phoenix Club. Wheelchair bound by an accident involving a fruit machine he is known for his cutting corners, thrifty nature with money and general truculence towards the staff.
His trademarks include picking his nose, drinking spirits from a tall vase (which allows him to reach the spirit dispensers) and his brown Cardigan
Brian is a widower to Jean, as discussed in episode 4 of series 1 of Phoenix Nights when talking to Jerry about "tactical manoeuvres".
His ambition is to see the Phoenix Club thrive and prosper, and to outdo his rival Den Perry in the process.
It was also revealed in That Peter Kay Thing he previously ran a club called The Neptune,
Brian also ran a club previously which flooded and whilst trying to rescue the nights takings from the cash box during the flood Brian was pinned behind a Fruit Machine and injured his spine, this is why he is confined to a wheelchair during That Peter Kay thing and Phoenix Nights.
Jerry 'St. Clair' Dignan
Played by Dave Spikey, Jerry is the club's hapless compere and (in the second series) the club's licensee. Jerry is the fall guy of the programme, receiving more than his fair share of bad luck including scalding, cancer scares and speeding fines. He suffered from illness in the first series and became addicted to herbal medication in series two. He takes great pride in organising the bingo, and his "Free & Easy" night at club, both of which are popular with the local pensioners.
When Brian loses his licence to run the club, Jerry takes a job at Asda's singing songs such as "Black Binbags" to make money.
In series two, Jerry is unwittingly talked into becoming the "puppet" licensee, which is in truth a cover for Brian to run the club after his licence is revoked.
Ray Von
Played by Neil Fitzmaurice, Ray is a former fairground gypsy and the club's general handyman and DJ. His name is a play on the phrase "Rave On!". He is one of the 'backbone' characters within the club with his hard work and common sense.
He first starred in series one after he helped keep the club open after a power cut by linking the electrics up to a street lamp. He is recognisable by his 1980's clothing and mullet hairstyle.
He is rumoured (falsely) to have spent time in prison for killing his girlfriend Tracy Burns, which seems totally out of character for his easy going, cool nature. This is a rumour Brian Potter is duped into believing until he meets Tracy in person.
Patrick 'Paddy' O'Shea
Played by Patrick McGuinness, Paddy is one half of the club's doorstaff. Known for his 'cheeky chappie' image, his sex obsessed attitude and gullible persona, 'Paddy' tends to be quite successful with girls, unlike colleague Max. In the first series, due to some cruel remarks from other members of staff (especially Max) he was paranoid about his hair, believing he was starting to go bald (though he seemingly has a full head of hair).
Maxwell 'Max' Bygraves
Played by Peter Kay, Max is the other half of the doorstaff. Known for his no-nonsense approach he claims to be a serious bouncer, and a bit of a hard-man, which in reality is far from the truth. He also claims to have had more life experience than he has actually had, for example he claims to have had a stint in the army. In series two he was (unsuccessfully) employed as a hitman.
Kenny Senior (aka Kenny Dalglish)
Played by Archie Kelly, Kenny Senior, (not to be confused with the footballer Kenny Dalglish) is Bolton's biggest liar. Most of his statements are either vastly exaggerated or complete lies, he is something of a Walter Mitty. According to him, amongst other things he has played swingball in Pwllheli with Robert DeNiro, slept with Bonnie Langford, appeared on centre court at Wimbledon despite being unseeded, and got Jackie Chan a price for some paint. His role within the club is unclear, however in the first episode in Series 1, he is seen on the roof, getting the lights ready.
Kenny's constant lying includes:
"I'm very friendly with the SAS!" - Kenny Senior
"But you see you're not Kenny!" - Brian Potter
"Can you get Mules in Japan?" - Holy Mary
"I can!" - Kenny Senior
Les
Les (played by Toby Foster), forms one half of the club's backing band, Les Alanos. The resident guitarist and drummer, he is looking for a way into the entertainment business. From playing at the Phoenix Club, to staging a play with Alan and the local youth group (based on the Karate Kid), Les strives to make it in the business.
Alan
Alan (played by Steve Edge), is the other half of Les Alanos, the resident Organ player. Quieter than Les, he is somewhat the "sidekick" of the duo, mixing his musical work with a job as a lorry driver for haulage company Sweet Truck Haul.
Young Kenny
Young Kenny (played by Justin Moorhouse), is a quietly spoken handyman at the club. Not seen as the sharpest knife in the drawer, he frequently misunderstands questions posed by other characters, or makes completely irrelevant diversions in the middle of conversations. He is a supporter of Manchester City F.C, and is always seen wearing the club's shirt. From Episode 8 onwards his face is permanently made up to look like a tiger, the result of a botched face-painting job at Brian's family fun day.
Holy Mary
Holy Mary (played by Janice Connolly), is a cleaner and member of the bar staff at the club. A devout Catholic, her kindly, hardworking nature makes her a popular addition to the club. Her daughter also named Mary, a part-time worker at the club, is dating ladies-man club bouncer "Paddy", something Holy Mary is not too happy about, although she keeps a brave face about it. She has an unseen son, Joseph, who is studying Woodwork.
Spencer
Spencer (played by Daniel Kitson), is one of the bar staff at the club, whose previous bar experience includes watching the film "Cocktail" six times. A likable, but naive young man, he returns to the club following a disastrous spell as the club's DJ. Despite not impressing at the interview, he is swiftly employed by Jerry St.Clair after revealing that his wages will be paid by the DSS.
Den Perry
Den Perry (played by Ted Robbins), is the owner of rival club "The Banana Grove", and is the 'bad guy' of the series. He prides himself on running the best social club in Bolton, and ruthlessly finds ways of stopping the Phoenix Club stealing his thunder, including burning the club down at the end of the first series. Like all bad guys though, he eventually gets his comeuppance. It is unclear what Perry's full first name is, since Brian Potter refers to him as Dennis and Denzel.
Tracey Burns
Tracey Burns (played by Sally Lindsay) is a minor character. A former winner of "Talent Trek", she is rumoured by Les and Alan to have been murdered by her boyfriend, Ray Von. The rumours are proved false when Tracy turns up with Ray at the club's "Singles Night", much to Brian Potter's amazement.
