Phoenix may rise
Spikey hopes to resurrect sitcom
Dave Spikey is hoping to reunite with Phoenix Nights co-star Peter Kay to make a Christmas special.
The two went their separate ways after the second series: Kay to make the spin-off Max And Paddy’s Road To Nowhere, and Spikey to make Dead Man Weds for ITV1.
But neither enjoyed the same solo success as they did as a writing partnership, and Spike says: “"I'd love to do a Christmas special.
“We could have parties, cabaret and Father Christmas coming. But it's up to Peter now."
"We've got loads of ideas but it's up in the air. It might be difficult to get the cast back together for a new series, and obviously it would depend on Peter as he's the main vehicle."
Dead Man Weds, which starred Johnny Vegas as a local newspaper reporter, languished in the ratings, with viewing figures just over the 2 million mark, despite its primetime scheduling.
But in the interview with Teletexed, Spikey says he hasn't given up hope it may return, even though ITV have decided not to recommission it
He said: "Although it's dead and buried I have a glimmer of optimism that someone may come along and rescue it. It happened to Men Behaving Badly."
"Because we were up against Desperate Housewives we didn't stand a chance. It deserved another series. I had one planned in my head.”
Published: 7 Mar 2005
