HE fed mushy peas and wine gums to Olympic champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington and flipped beer mats with former Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy.

But one of the things that intrigued Justin Moorhouse the most at Rio were the Brazilian-style buffets.

The comedian was invited to the Olympic Games by furniture retailer DFS to present a behind-the-scenes show.

Justin, who played Young Kenny in Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere, said: "Rio is a fascinating place.

"It’s good when you do things like that because it feels like you’re at the centre of the world."

His fascination did not end at the Games as he discovered when he went out for food.

Justin added: "A buffet in the north of England is a collection of overweight people getting as much on their plate as they possibly can.

"In Brazil you fill your plate and then they weigh it so it is a cross between all-you-can eat and pick-and-mix.

"People were trying to get as many calories for the least amount of grams possible."

Justin may have had to get over the embarrassment of having his plate weighed but things are on the up for the northern charmer who recently played Dean Upton in Corrie.

He was pitted against Steve, from the Rovers, as landlord of rival pub The Flying Horse.

The 46-year-old said: "This summer I went in the commentary box for a test match special for England v Pakistan at Old Trafford, I sat in the black chair on Mastermind and I’ve walked on the cobbles of Coronation Street.

"It’s exciting. You’ve got to pinch yourself when stars who you’ve grown up with are asking if you want a cup of tea.

"If they’d have me back on Corrie I’d be there like a shot."

But Justin, who is bringing his People and Feelings tour to Warrington on Friday, October 21, said he still considers himself first and foremost as a stand-up comedian.

He added: "If Jerry Seinfeld can produce, write and star in the greatest and most successful sitcom of all-time and still refer to himself as a stand-up then that is good enough for me.

"Every chance I’ve had of acting or being on the radio is because I was a stand-up comedian.

"Even if I got a big part in a major TV show for a long time I think I’d still be looking at when I could do stand-up again.

"It’s what I enjoy the most. It’s my passion. It’s not just where I’m most comfortable in work, it’s where I’m most comfortable in life.

"Often we get to mix with the superstar comedians because there aren’t superstar comedian comedy clubs.

"And when they’re trying out new material they have to go to our comedy clubs.

"You often rub shoulders with the likes of Eddie Izzard and Lee Evans and Michael McIntyre who try out their material where you’re working.

"I remember a kid asking Lee Evans in the dressing room in a comedy club in Birmingham: ‘What’s your tip for being a stand-up comedian?’

"And Lee said: ‘Do you have to be one?’ The guy said: ‘Not really’ so Lee said: ‘Don’t do it then’. It’s not enough to want, you have to need to do it."

Justin, a former Key 103 presenter, found that need when he was 29 and was bored by his job in sales.

He would go to the Frog and Bucket about 25 times a year to watch the likes of Johnny Vegas.

Then after daring to go on stage for the club's open mic nights he went on to win a comedy competition with the final held at Manchester's renowned Comedy Store.

Justin said: "I always wanted to do something else and I think early on I got a bit of luck with the competition, getting a part on Phoenix Nights and getting a job on the radio.

"But you have got to take your luck when you get it. If you get a chance you’ve got to go for it. I’m proud of what I did and how I did it."

- Justin Moorhouse presents People and Feelings at the Pyramid on October 21. Visit pyramidparrhall.com or call 442345

DAVID MORGAN