SALFORD University has launched its new dedicated comedy course for budding writers and performers, with the help of one of Salford’s most famous graduates, Peter Kay.

Peter Kay first discovered a talent for stand up comedy back in the 1990s when he studied for an HND in Media Performance at Salford. Since winning the North West Comedy Award in 1996, he has gone on to achieve huge popularity.The comedian’s Tour That Didn't Tour tour sold over 1.2 million tickets, making it officially the world's most successful live stand-up comedy show.

Peter was at the university’s MediaCityUK campus recently to launch its new comedy pathways course for performance students who want to develop their skills in sketch writing, physical comedy and clowning, sitcom and stand-up while exploring the roots of what makes people laugh, the business of a career in comedy and the cultural importance of the art form.

Course leader Lisa Moore said she was: “Astonished and delighted at the support received by industry professionals, and excited about the huge potential of the degree.”

Other famous Salford performance graduates include Sir Ben Kingsley, Robert Powell, Christopher Ecclestone, Jason Manford, Steve Edge, Maxine Peake and Shobna Gulati.