SIMON Cowell, Robbie Williams and Ricky Gervais are all welcome around the Christmas dinner tables of East Lancashire this year.

That was the view of East Lancastrians when we asked them yesterday who they would like to share their Christmas turkey.

And in a national poll which asked which Coronation Street star would people like to share their Christmas dinner Bacup's pint-sized actor Sam Aston who plays Chesney was voted number one.

Rossendale's Jenny McAlpine, who plays Fiz, was in third place while Burnley's Malcolm Hebden who plays Norris Cole was sixth favourite and Ramsbottom's Sean Tully, played by Antony Cotton, was a close seventh choice.

But when we asked the people of East Lancashire who they would want to share their turkey with, comedians came top.

Matthew Furness, 19, a student from Oswaldtwistle, said: "I would want Jimmy Carr for Christmas dinner. That would be hilarious. He's the best comedian."

Chris Hall, 18, a student from Blackburn said: "Ricky Gervais would be the perfect guest. He is so funny it would make my day."

Eddie Heitmann, 22, of Darwen said: "I'd have to have stand-up funnyman Bill Bailey. That would be fun."

And with kisses under the mistletoe in mind, you also wanted your favourite pin-ups to come and pull the crackers with you.

Stacey Podmore, 16, trainee hairdresser from Blackburn, said: "I'd invite Michael Schofield from Prison Break on Channel Five because he's gorgeous."

Simone Macquarrie, 16, also a trainee hairdresser from Blackburn, said: "I'd have Charlie Hunnam from the film Green Street, he's hot."

And Julie Wilson, a care worker from Witton, Blackburn, said: "I would have to pick Robbie Williams to serenade us."

The phenomenon that is the X Factor was another popular choice with winner, Leon, top of one wish list. Student Vicky Wilson, 16, said: "I would want Leon to come. I voted for him."

And going one better Nakita Embley, 17, of Bowen Street, Blackburn, said: "I'd like all of the X Factor judges.

"They would be great entertainment. They would argue but how funny would that be in your living room?"

Others included Pete Young, 21, from Blackburn, who wanted his idol for Christmas dinner, he said: "My all-time favourite artist is Bob Dylan so it would have to be him."

And Bert Ashton, 82, of Cheetham Street, Blackburn, said: "I'd invite my favourites - either Al Jolson or Humphrey Bogart. "

The street's Sam topped a survey by Harveys furniture store as the nation's top choice, with nine in ten people voting cheeky Chesney the best person to bring some festive cheer to their home.

Sam, 14, said: "I am really chuffed. It's great that so many people love Chesney."