Peter Kay has announced additional dates for his already massive UK tour, including a “record-breaking” night at London’s O2 Arena.
The 49-year-old comedian was brought to tears on the opening night of his first live comedy tour in 12 years last Friday, with the show marking the long-awaited first performance of a lengthy arena tour that will run from December through late 2023.
Funnyman Peter announced the additional shows on Thursday on BBC Radio 2’s Sara Cox Drivetime show.
Big comeback: Peter Kay has announced additional dates for his already massive UK tour, including a ‘record-breaking’ night at London’s O2 Arena (Peter dresses up as Santa to promote the tour)
He said: “First of all I would like to thank everyone who bought tickets for my tour and I really appreciate it.
“And we’ve finally managed to book more additional dates.”
Shows are held in Newcastle, Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield and London.
Big news: Funnyman Peter announced the additional shows on Sara Cox’s Drivetime show on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday
Peter said the response to news of his tour was “absolutely elated” and described the early shows as “brilliant”.
He said: “It was amazing and people deserve a little bit of joy.”
The performer reminded people he was eyeing the price, saying: “Don’t forget they start at £35. I made them cheap for the whole cost of living. So that’s £35 at 2010 prices.’
Grateful: He said, “First of all I want to say thank you to everyone who bought tickets for my tour and I really appreciate it.”
It comes after Peter was brought to tears when he received a huge standing ovation at Manchester’s AO Arena on Friday night as he returned to stand-up comedy.
The prankster embarked on a mammoth 110-date tour, playing to a sold-out crowd in Manchester, 16 miles from his hometown of Bolton.
As he was greeted with thunderous applause, chants of his name rang out throughout the venue, prompting him to wipe away a tear as his devotees continued to cheer.
Emotional: It comes after Peter was brought to tears when he received a huge standing ovation as he returned to stand-up comedy at the AO Arena in Manchester on Friday night
“Oh, you’re going to tear me to pieces,” he said. “Nice Manchester, you made me cry. I can’t believe I cried, where’s all this emotion coming from?’
Comedian Peter had largely disappeared from public view for the past four years, and the aptly named Peter Kay Live Tour is his first live tour since 2010, when he set the Guinness World Record for best-selling run of all time, playing more than 1 .2 million people.
Peter’s comeback was announced during a commercial break at the launch of I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! last month on ITV.
Moving: As he was greeted with thunderous applause, chants of his name rang out throughout the venue, prompting him to wipe away a tear
He is back! Peter’s long-awaited return to touring comes after a 12-year hiatus
Screen star: Peter was spotted crying on the big screens next to the stage at the Arena in Manchester
He said: “It’s good to be getting back to what I love to do, stand-up comedy, and if there’s ever a time when people need to laugh, it’s now.
“And with the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices start from £35 – the same price as my previous tour in 2010.”
After Manchester, Peter will perform in venues such as Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield, Belfast, Newcastle, Glasgow and Dublin.
Overcoming: He was seen leaning against a table on stage as he calmed his emotions after receiving the positive reaction from his fans
Live for the applause: The audience at Peter’s arena show could be heard cheering as he took the stage before repeatedly chanting his name
Standing ovation: The crowd stood as they stood to give comedian Peter a long round of applause
Less comeback than resurrection… Robert Hardman reviews Peter’s opening night in Manchester
By Robert Hartman
Less a comeback than a resurrection. That’s how it felt last night among the truest of true believers as Peter Kay returned to the big stage in his northwestern home eleven years after his previous tour ended.
With jokes about ’80s ads, chips, grandparents, northern comedy clubs and a smattering of smut, the phenomenally popular Bolton comedian embarked on a new show that has been selling out venues across the UK for the next year and beyond .
Last night’s full house at Manchester’s 02 Arena earned him a standing ovation before he could utter a single word. Kay’s last tour, scheduled for 2017, was canceled due to “unforeseen family reasons”. I saw one or two burst into tears – and Kay herself for a few moments. “How am I supposed to do comedy after that?” he exclaimed – and then did.
The fans spoke of their joy not only at having gotten through the lottery of the online ticketing process, but also at snagging seats for the coveted first night. “It was just pure luck. I had planned to go for a later date as I thought the first night would be impossible,” said Chris Wraight, part of an enthusiastic crewe group of six.
At the end of Peter Kay’s previous tour, which spanned 122 dates in 2010/11, Guinness World Records announced that it had set a new record for the most popular stand-up comedy tour in history – one that was 1.2 million people was seen.
Given the general reaction last night and the new concert schedule stretching through 2025, Kay must be confident that this one will set a record of her own.
Robert Hardman’s review will appear in tomorrow’s Mail on Sunday.
Return of the Comedy King! Peter confirmed his comeback tour in a commercial that aired during I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! last month (Peter can be seen in the promo)
His run will end on August 11, 2023 at Sheffield’s Utilita Arena.
Following the announcement, the star’s official website appeared to briefly crash due to increased online traffic.
A poster for the event showed Peter holding a sign that read “Better Late Than Never” and described a ticket to his shows as an “ideal Christmas gift”.
After largely staying out of the spotlight for the past four years, Peter returned to the stage in August 2021 for two special charity events to raise money for Laura Nuttall, a then 20-year-old with an aggressive type of brain tumor called glioblastoma multiforme .
There was also a brief return in January 2021 when he appeared on BBC Radio 2 to chat with Cat Deeley – who stepped in after Graham Norton left the station – about his love of music, mixtapes and the musical Mamma Mia.
He also made a surprise appearance at a charity screening of his Car Share series in 2018.
Peter canceled his last tour in December 2017 citing “unforeseen family circumstances”.
Time out: He retired from public life in 2017 when he canceled a massive 14-month stand-up tour due to “unforeseen family circumstances”.
The father-of-two was set to earn up to £40million hosting 109 Nights in cities including Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, London and Dublin from April 2018 to March 2019.
He said at the time: “Due to unforeseen family circumstances, I deeply regret having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects.
“This unfortunately includes my upcoming stand up tour, Dance for Life shows and any pending live work commitments.
“My sincere apologies. This decision was not made lightly and I am sure you will understand that my family must always come first.’
He recently wowed audiences in October when he reportedly performed a “secret” comedy act for a select audience.
Peter performed at a theater in Salford in October and had “new material” for the lucky fans who were invited.
Paula, who is a fan of the comedian, took to Twitter to share her experiences at the exciting ‘secret’ shows.
She wrote: “Oh my god I just went to The Lowry for a secret gig with Peter Kay. The best night of my life, this guy is a legend. Phones in locked lintel, secret ticket collection, the whole bunch. Still humming.’
Difficult times: Fans have been waiting for Peter’s return to the stage for years after he withdrew from the spotlight in 2017 due to “unforeseen family circumstances”.