These people become characters so it doesn't matter that they're not the

These people become characters, so it doesn't matter that they're not the best impersonations you've ever seen. That's my excuse, anyway."To some, the series is an extraordinary feat of sustained high-intensity performance, while, to others, it is an example of top-class showing off. When Keith, in real-life, fell off the step-ladder in his library and punctured his lung and broke three ribs, that was just like something out of Stella Street So we do have some basis in reality."Cornwell chips in. "We're just trying to get the spirit of people like John Hurt. We're trying to reinvent them, like Harry Enfield did with his Douglas Hurd voice on Spitting Image. Phil does Mick Jagger in a very camp, Kenneth Williamsy kind of way.

Mick doesn't actually walk around it tights, but it's spiritually true to him They work like Viz cartoon characters. When David Bowie decides to become a stand-up on a `Laughing Man' tour, everybody shows up to support it."The impersonations are deliberately more caricatures than photocopies "We're not as methodical as Rory Bremner," Sessions admits. They make themselves Cupasoups and go and get Bird's Custard from the shop They all stick up for each other. Between them, he and his collaborator Phil Cornwell play 35 characters over the course of the series. Thus Jack Nicholson has problems with the wiring by the local electrician; Joe Pesci tries to set up a new business as a homeopath and psychotherapist; and Mick Jagger worries about his shop being taken over by The Beatles. It is this incongruity which first appealed to John Sessions. They say, `It's great to see celebs getting it'."But, he claims, the show does not take the mick out of Mick and company "It's very affectionate We love these people The characters tend to be very sweet.

"The ghastliness of the normal people in Stella Street helps increase the absurdity of the idea of celebs living next door to them," reckons Sessions during one of the many breaks to change character make-up."People like the incongruity of it all. The show, broadcast in bite-sized 15-minute segments over the next 10 weeks on BBC2, plays on the absurdity of megastars experiencing the same daily domestic setbacks as mere mortals. "I've got an Ikea bookcase I've gotta erect to store all those screenplays I'm not gonna do I'm a great fan of Ikea furniture. If I hadn't been the greatest actor in the world, I would have been the greatest carpenter." Almost a year after our original visit, we're back for a second series of Stella Street, the endearingly daft comedy boulevard in Surbiton where Hollywood celebs live cheek-by-jowl with dull suburban cleaners and gardeners. Michael Caine is just popping down to the corner-shop run by Mick Jagger and Keith Richard He wonders if his neighbour, Al Pacino, needs anything "Get me a tube of Superglue," says Al. There are so many elements in hockey - I may be a little biased, but I think that it's the best sport in the world."If you'd like to try ice hockey for yourself, call the British Ice Hockey Association (01202 303946) for information on your nearest clubFIVE PLACES TO WATCH ICE HOCKEYLondon KnightsLondon Arena, Limeharbour, London E14 (0171-536 2626)Bracknell BeesThe John Nike Leisuresport Complex, John Nike Way, Bracknell, Berks (01344 860033)BT Cardiff DevilsWales National Ice Rink, Hayes Bridge Road, Cardiff (01222 397198)Nottingham PanthersThe Ice Stadium, Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham (0115-948 4526)Manchester StormThe Manchester Evening News Arena, Victoria Station, Manchester (0161-950 5000).

In other sports, anybody can walk and run - but few can skate. In order to master hockey, you have to master the skill of ice-skating."It's just two thin blades on a sheet of ice; when you consider the speed and ruggedness of the game, there's a lot of appeal. How will this improve the standard of British ice hockey?"I think the improved quality of play gives home-based players something to aspire to," says Fuyarchuk. "Kids watch a higher standard of ice hockey and learn from watching the best.