OVERNIGHT success has, paradoxically, been a long time coming for comedian Dave Spikey.

But, if a storming set at a packed Grand Opera House is any guide, Spikey has a little more in his bag of tricks than just Phoenix Nights' long-suffering compere Jerry "The Saint" St Clair.

Like his TV colleague Peter Kay, Spikey's act relies on making everyday situations funnier than they really are.

So everything from old men's fashions, to mum's sayings and Tube rides come under his microscope.

At first, he seemed a little nervous, struggling for timing through some early stories; but still managing to hit the big laughs when the punchlines came hammering home.

But this was a friendly York crowd and Spikey quickly warmed to their encouragement. From then on, nothing was taboo.

We laughed, we sighed and we cringed as Spikey ranged through material including swallowing old plasters in swimming pools, playing Frisbee with his dog (it wasn't flat enough) and being wound-up by yob families.

Spikey has been living off many of these jokes for some time now but, because they're so well crafted, they're still funny however many times you've heard them.

When The Saint makes an encore appearance, the roof comes off the Grand Opera House.

Updated: 11:35 Saturday, June 12, 2004