PETER Kay's observational comedy has made him a TV star, a millionaire and one of Britain's best-loved entertainers. The power of his funny walk alone propelled Tony Christie's song Amarillo to number one.
Now the Diary has learned that some jokes credited to the Bolton funnyman actually originated in York.
Five years ago, Tom Sharp and Andy Milson began dreaming up one-liners for their magazine :here, under the heading 100 Per Cent True.
Two years later the pair, who now run creative consultancy Stone Soup from offices in Walmgate, published the 100 Per Cent True book. It was a hit and went on sale at Waterstone's throughout the country.
It includes such tremendous maxims as "Triangular sandwiches taste better than square ones"; "Sharpening a pencil with a knife makes you feel really manly"; and "You never know where to look when eating a banana."
That last one appeared in our "Quote of the day" slot last week, attributed to Peter Kay by national news agency the Press Association, and this led Andy to get in touch.
A little investigation discovered that lines from 100 Per Cent True are doing the rounds on the internet as "Peter Kay's Universal Truths".
There is no suggestion that the comedian himself is using the material or has any connection with the websites involved.
"He's the most popular comedian in the UK, certainly in terms of turnover and sell-out dates," said Andy. "I suppose we should be flattered."
If anyone can help us discover how these "universal truths" came to be linked with Peter Kay, please get in touch.
This is not the first time Andy and Tom's work has been quoted without their permission. The Daily Mail, the Mirror and Radio 2 have all used their jokes without crediting the pair.
Now they plan to talk to Peter Kay's people about what's happened. Their ultimate hope - that Peter will come and headline another of Stone Soup's ventures, the popular York Comedy Festival.
The third festival, due to run in October, is "on a financial knife edge", but a performance by the Phoenix Knights creator would guarantee a hit.
Watch this space.
ALMOST a year to the day after their first reunion rock concert - a rip-roaring, roof-lifting success - York musicians will once again take to the stage for a Fifties and Sixties rock'n'roll evening.
Bands taking part include Steve Cassidy and The Escorts, The Dominoes, Blind Alley, Legacy, The Alan Carver Set, The DJ Band and Flashback.
Around 40 musicians are giving their services free in aid of the National Heart Research Fund, the Cookridge Cancer Research Fund and the Parkinson's Disease Society and the concert will take place at Huntington Working Men's Club next Wednesday, April 27, at 8pm.
Tickets are available from Bulmers Lord Mayors Walk, MOR Music, Fossgate and the Huntington club at a cost of £7 each.
MORE on rubber bands.
"Some weeks ago, I became so annoyed by the number of discarded bands around that I collected an envelope full (it only took five minutes) and sent them to the sorting office in Leeman Road," writes Matthew Page, of Emerald Street, York.
"No reply yet (maybe the Post Office aren't very good at writing letters), but I note that the local streets have been fully repopulated in the meantime.
"Perhaps the Royal Mail are trying to ignore me. This might work, but if more readers of your paper started sending the bands in too..."
Updated: 09:33 Friday, April 22, 2005
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article