It was the biggest and best day of his life – but Paddy McGuinness says life has ambled along as normal for him and wife Christine Martin since they tied the knot in June. Happily settled at home in Bolton, he jokes: "It’s good yeah – there’s no change.

"All is as it was – I still put the bins out on a Tuesday."

It’s a duty he never shirks, despite a ‘full on’ schedule over the past six months. In March he headed into the Arctic Circle with 10 celebrities to film the second series of ITV’s 71 Degrees North. The second episode of the reality show, where contestants have to complete jaw-dropping tasks in harsh weather conditions, aired on Tuesday and saw former Cold Feet and Corrie star John Thomson exit the show.

Paddy says: "They brought me in to make the presenting side a bit more light-hearted, but the tasks are actually tougher – you can keep your kangaroo testicles and cockroaches in the jungle, this is worse.

"There’s definitely something to be said for sitting at home with a cup of tea and a plate of digestives, thinking ‘thank God we’re here, not out there’."

Paddy’s next stop was the sofa on This Morning, as he guest presented the Friday show for seven weeks in July and August. The variety of the job appealed to the 38-year-old: "One minute you’d be talking to someone about a new fashion range, then the next guest would be a transgender ferret breeder!" he laughs.

Although daytime TV was a far cry from Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy’s Road To Nowhere where he made his name – and starred alongside best friend Peter Kay – the challenge was easily met, given his experience presenting popular dating show Take Me Out.

Filming begins for a third series in November, but sadly it won’t be returning to Greater Manchester as Paddy would have liked. The first series was made at Granada, but moved to Kent when it outgrew the space.

He explains: "I was pushing for it to be filmed at MediaCity but the new studios are too expensive."

Paddy is hoping for another dating success story after a couple who met through the last series got engaged. Although Fabian De Fabiani initially turned out Kayleigh Kane’s light, he later tracked her down on Facebook.

"It’s amazing!" Paddy says. "Cilla used to get a hat – I’ll have to work on a best man’s speech." If he was a contestant in the show he confides his special skill to win over the ladies would be making his signature mashed potato.

"I struggle with cakes and desserts," he admits, "but I make a mean mash and I do a really good Sunday dinner. It usually goes down well with Christine and family and friends."

He’s sure many of them will turn out to see him when he performs at the Manchester Evening News Arena next month – although he isn’t convinced that’s necessarily a good thing.

"Five minutes before you’re due on stage and you’ll get a call saying ‘there’s a problem at the box office with my tickets’ or ‘Mick can’t get a taxi – can you book him one?’ As if you haven’t got enough on your plate!"

Paddy will be counting on no last-minute distractions, particularly since the performance is being filmed for a DVD of the Saturday Night Live tour. It’s also the first time he will have performed at the venue in his own show.

"I’ve done a couple of corporate gigs and charity dos there so I know what it’s like, but this will be the first time it’s just me there. It will be a full-on, proper show along the lines of the Saturday night entertainment vibe – even though the opening night is a Thursday in Birmingham!"

And what about news of a potential Phoenix Nights film, as spoken about by Peter Kay on a TV chat show?

Plenty of fans would be thrilled at the prospect – and "none more so than my bank manager!" laughs Paddy.

"It would be great, but it’s just about finding the time. At the moment we’re both up to our eyes in it, hopefully there might be some time next year.

"On Max and Paddy and Phoenix Nights you’re with your mates, having a laugh, it’s not like work. That’s what would excite me more than anything – getting everyone together again."

Paddy McGuinness’ Saturday Night Live is at the MEN Arena on Saturday October 29. Call 0844 8478000 for tickets.

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