GIVEN the way that Farnworth-born Paddy McGuinness first came to public attention in a Peter Kay show it would be understandable if he was both overshadowed and typecast.

But the likeable 42-year-old has become none of those things, instead morphing into a comedy performer in his own right and presenter-of-choice for TV programmes from This Morning and Take Me Out to Amazing Greys and Benchmark.

His latest departure saw him as nerdy Dougie Ryan, a “poor man’s Bear Grylls”, in a cameo role in Coronation Street and just “helping” regulars on a countryside stay.

Unlike some other performers well-known in a different field (like singer Sarah Harding who looked uncomfortable in Corrie), Paddy seemed quite at home and played the unusual role well.

It’s pretty unlikely that will lead to a regular spot in the Northern soap – and he probably wouldn’t want that commitment – but it does highlight his versatility and ability to plug into what the viewers want to see.

In other words, please don’t dismiss our Paddy.