Peter Kay gives back to the community at Christmas during his comeback tour by donating a staggering £14,000 to a children’s charity.
The Mirror reports that the 49-year-old comedian is giving away £1 per person attending his show at the London 02 Arena.
“Christmas is about doing good things for other people,” he told the audience at his show this week.
‘Christmas is about doing good for other people’: Peter Kay will donate a whopping £14,000 from his tour to a children’s charity
“I think Christmas is about doing good things for other people, so we’re going to take a pound off each of you,” he told the cheering crowd.
“I’m going to give it to a children’s charity and when I checked my phone on the way down I found one called Action for Children.
“They’re doing a secret Santa and it seems really nice. There are 14,000 people living here so if I take a pound that’s £14,000 for children on your behalf. Thank you!’
“I think Christmas is about doing good things for other people, so we’re going to lose a pound from each of you,” he told the cheering crowd this week
Action for Charity helps support vulnerable children in times of need, and the Secret Santa program helps give away toys and food to the less fortunate.
A representative for the charity told the publication, “This amazing donation will support our frontline workers helping families in need.”
Web has reached out to Peter’s representative for comment on this article.
It comes after Peter announced additional dates for his already gigantic UK tour, including a “record-breaking” night at London’s O2 Arena.
Big comeback: It comes after he announced additional dates for his already mammoth UK tour, including a “record-breaking” night at London’s O2 Arena (Peter dressed up as Santa to promote the tour)
The 49-year-old comedian was brought to tears on the opening night of his first live comedy tour in 12 years earlier this month, 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 BBC Radio 2’s Sara Cox Drivetime show.
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 BBC Radio 2’s Sara Cox Drivetime show
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 earlier this month 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 at Manchester’s AO Arena earlier this month as he returned to stand-up comedy
“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.
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
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”.