Iconic Phoenix Club sign goes under the hammer

Fans of the iconic Peter Kay series Phoenix Nights could have the chance to own a piece of comedy history.

The original sign from the famous fictional Phoenix Club, that brought viewers so many laughs, is going under the auctioneer's hammer in Leyland, Lancashire.

Phoenix Nights, set in a fictional working men's club in Farnworth, aired two series on Channel 4 in 2001 and 2002 and has gained cult status among fans around the world.

It features Kay as the ambitious, if unlucky, club owner Brian Potter, Spikey as his sidekick Jerry St Clair and Top Gear's McGuinness as the doorman, Paddy.

The prop, made for the front of the club in the comedy series, is now owned by dealer Matt Taylor, who features as one of the dealers on Dickinson's Real Deal.

Speaking about why he first purchased the sign, Matt said: "I buy things that are unique, curious and rare and try to put them back with someone who will love and appreciate it

The sign is scheduled to be sold on Wednesday, 20 July, and has a reserve of £1,500.

Auctioneer James Warren says there is already a lot of interest in the iconic piece, which sat above the fiction Phoenix Club.

He said: "We've seen thing from 10 year ago, 20 years ago, they're the things now that are really becoming popular."

"The younger generation, that's the kind of thing they're buying. Vintage games, posters, TV & film memorabilia - all that kind of stuff is doing very well."

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