PHOENIX Nights star Ted Robbins has made an emotional return to the venue where he collapsed and nearly died while performing on stage during a live version of the hit show.

The actor suffered from a heart attack during the first Phoenix Nights Live show at the Manchester Arena in January last year.

In the show Mr Robbins reprised his role as the show's villain, Den Perry, the owner of a rival social club who burned down the Phoenix Club at the end of the first series.

The shows were organised to raise money for Comic Relief.

Mr Robbins returned to the arena for the first time since his collapse as part of an episode of BBC's Inside Out which aired last night.

In the programme he was visibly emotional, wiping tears from his face while entering the arena.

He said: "Well, this is it. The first time I've set foot in this place since getting on for a year ago."

Talking about the night of his collapse, Mr Robbins added: "I came up through the trap door — the biggest audience of my life and it was their opening night, our opening night, and almost my closing one.

"It feels quite something to be here, quite emotional really."

Mr Robbins said the heart attack had changed his life beyond recognition.

The 60-year-old said: "I love working, I love walking, I like exercising, I like going to the gym — I even like eating salad.

"It's great to be alive, but this time last year I very nearly wasn't. In short, I had a very public cardiac arrest and almost didn't make it.

"Since then my life has changed. The downside is I have to take a load of tablets but the rest is pretty good actually.

"I'm the fittest I've been in ages, I still love my grub — I just eat better stuff and I've lost a shedload of weight. And I'm as busy as ever."

In the programme Mr Robbins also met the doctors and nurses at Wythenshawe Hospital who helped him during his illness.

He added: "What a team. Not only did they put my body back together but they also looked after my shattered emotions."