COMEDIAN Ted Robbins said he is 'so lucky to be alive' after his dramatic public collapse in January.

The 59-year-old actor and presenter, from Crawshawbooth, had a heart attack in front of a sell-out 10,000 crowd at the Manchester Arena on January 31.

The star, who plays Den Perry in the cult Peter Kay comedy, was rushed to hospital and the performance was cancelled.

In an interview with his employer, BBC Radio Lancashire, Ted said: “I did a couple of gags and then I remember a very peaceful calm feeling and thinking ‘I’ll just have a little sit down for a minute’. But apparently I didn’t.

“My daughter says I said something quite rude and did my Tommy Cooper impressions - God rest him. Except I was lucky enough to survive thanks to some wonderful people. I was looked after brilliantly. I’m so lucky to be alive.”

Ted hosts a Sunday morning programme on the Blackburn-based station and will return next Sunday – the first time he’s been back to work since the health scare.

He said the incident has changed him: “It’s not a weight loss programme I’d recommend but I’ve lost a couple of stones in weight. I do intend to help the Heart Foundation. I’ve been encouraged to get walking again.

“I want to do some sponsored walks to help raise awareness of CPR and defibrillators and how important that is. But also to give something back. Some people don’t make it but I did and I’m eternally grateful.

“The one thing it does, and this is a truism, or a cliché or call it what you like, but it makes you appreciate life absolutely - every little thing.”