Peter Kay’s return to the stage was met with a warm reception over the weekend, when he made his public comeback after a four-year absence.
On Saturday, the stand-up comic hosted two live Q&A sessions at the Manchester Apollo, to help raise funds for 20-year-old Laura Nuttall who has an aggressive type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme.
The two shows were Peter’s first since cancelling his 100-date comedy tour in 2017, after which he largely took a step back from the limelight.
Fortunately, the two shows went down a storm with fans, who gave him a standing ovation as he headed onto the stage.
“I’ve never in my life had a standing ovation when I came on,” he told the audience, joking: “I’m going to go away for four more years.”
He later admitted to having been “a bit nervous… when I got here”, explaining: “I was looking at all this and thinking ‘oh my God’ but it’s really nice to be doing this. It’s like getting in a hot bath.”
Footage posted on Twitter also saw the Car Share creator leaving the stage to rapturous applause from those in attendance.
Peter was introduced at both shows – dubbed Doing It For Laura – by Laura Nuttall’s sister Gracie, who told the sold-out crowds at the 3,500-capacity venue she was “eternally grateful” for them helping to “potentially save my sister’s life”.
Over the course of the day, Peter selected pre-submitted audience questions from a tub of Cadbury’s Roses, discussing his work with Paddy McGuinness, holidaying at Eric Clapton’s home and the fact he’s “too embarrassed” to buy garlic bread at the supermarket, in case staff think he’s referencing his Phoenix Nights catchphrase.
He also phoned one fan’s mum, who had been unable to attend the show, telling her: “I’ve not done a show for four years but I’ve had a good laugh.”
“It’s been lovely,” he told audience members at the end of the night. “Thank you for coming to support Laura and her family and thank you for coming to see me.”