BOLTON comic Dave Spikey has spoken of his frustrating struggle to get back on television.

Spikey revealed he has suffered a number of rejections, after making his name on the hit Phoenix Nights show 16 years ago, which catapulted fellow Bolton comedians, Paddy McGuinness and Peter Kay to stardom.

Responding to a fan on Twitter, Spikey told how he was still writing and penned a number of scripts including about a Sunday Football Team, ballroom dancing in a Blackpool Hotel, with Neil Firzmaurice, a script about a working class family who dream of a life in the sun with Jim Cartwright and about three lads in Cumbria.

Replying to a fan on Twitter, Dave wrote: "It can be frustrating and demoralising at times but hey, get your head down and crack on."

Spikey, who also wrote Dead Man Weds, a comedy about life in a local newspaper office, opened up about his struggle after a tweet from a fan.

The fan tweeted: "Dave! Just watching Phoenix nights!! Missing you on the telebox! What are you up to these days? Are you still on the TV?"

Spikey responded : "No mate. Not for want of trying ! Keep writing - keep getting rejections - don't know what they're looking for ! One man tour show "Juggling on a Motor Bike" still going well."

He also revealed that he would like to appear on the Saturday night television comedy show.

Dave wrote: "Love to do Live at the Apollo but they don’t seem interested. Possibly an age thing?"

Spikey put out a "trailer" for his football script on his Twitter timeline, adding: "If you like the teasers of Footballers Lives could you please retweet - you never know a clued up TV/Film Commissioner might get a look and like it. Cheers . Dave"