His role as Pete Gifford in “Cold Feet” led to a Best Tv Comedy Actor nomination, and his “Hobson’s Choice” stage role earned him an award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. After a guest stint on “Coronation Street” in 2008, John has returned for a six month contract on the Street.

You turned down a scholarship in the US to study at Manchester – what do you think you’d be doing if you had accepted?

I turned down a drumming Scholarship in the states ,so if I had taken it I’d be drumming, rather than acting for a living.

You’re back in Corrie now – why is it that so many comedians seem to be turning up in it these days?

One of the joys of Coronation St. Is that it exploits the lighter side of life, so comedians are an obvious choice for roles.

You’ve been on Twitter a while now – how are you enjoying it? Whose your favourite twitterer?

I don’t have favourite twitterer although I love it when my comedy chums start hashtags eg.#three words after sex. They’re great fun.

Twitter.com/JohnnyThomson2

Since C4’s early morning programme R.I.S.E. finished, which Iain co-presented, Iain has become a mainstay on radio stations such as LBC, Virgin and now Absolute Radio where he presents a break from non-stop music with an irreverent phone-in show (he recently wrestled a listener).

Iain’s occasional podcast Shindiggery can be gotten via his website iainlee.co.uk/

A Silver Sony award, a BBC2 sitcom on its way – is this the resurgence of Iain Lee on our radio and tv sets?

Hardly. The Scum Also Rises starts filming this week for BBC2. It’s not a starring role. I’m a regular but it’s a small part.

You were an early podcaster with Shindiggery – what’s happened to that? Is it true you’re doing it live?

Shindiggery live will be at the Hen&Chickens July.Prob won’t be broadcast but Im filming it. Shindig podcast will start gain when I get time

You have a band that does Pop and rock songs sung in Japanese – surely that’s not true?

True enough. Boomhauer x play at The Water Rats in Kings Cross on July 20th. Japanese vocals and a horn section. It rocks mo fo

Twitter.com/IainLee