BOLTON actress Maxine Peake has been named the third best celebrity stand-in for Father Christmas according to a festive survey.

Maxine received 9.1 per cent of the total vote, putting her third of the 10 celebrities on the list, and was most popular with those aged 25-34, with 15.9 per cent of the votes.

She also received more votes from men than women (10.6 per cent vs. 7.9 per cent), and more popular in the south — receiving 19.2 per cent of votes in London compared to only 5.7 per cent from Mancunians.

Professor Brian Cox clinched the top spot, with 15 per cent of the vote, fending off competition from the Gallagher Brothers, Jason Manford, and Michelle Keegan.

The survey, conducted by Manchester-based parcel comparison website My Parcel Delivery, asked 1,500 people which famous Mancunian they would most like to deliver their presents.