TAKE ME OUT TV host Paddy McGuinness was taken out in style at the launch night of Chester’s revamped Commercial Hotel.

Paddy, best known as Peter Kay’s side-kick in Phoenix Nights, was the guest of director John Locke, former marketing manager for Manchester’s Comedy Store, at the St Peter’s Square venue, behind The Cross.

Other VIP guests were fellow Phoenix Nights stars Justin Moorhouse and Steve Edge, who has also appeared in Peep Show and satirical magazine show Star Stories. Coronation Street’s Michelle Keegan, who plays Tina, added a touch of glamour.

In the spring, The Commercial , a Grade II-listed Georgian building from the early 1800s, will accommodate a new upstairs restaurant plus four hotel rooms and a suite – which has already been booked by Paddy McGuinness for the May race meeting.

From the middle of February comedy nights will be held every Tuesday.

Other investors in the venture are David Coughlin, John Locke’s business partner at The Northern bar in Manchester, along with Martin Ellis of Chester’s City Bar. Manager is Rebecca Davies.