peter kay return tour

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Peter Kay announces stand-up return with first tour in 12 years

Dates run from next month through to the summer of 2023

Peter Kay has announced his return to stand-up comedy, confirming a huge UK tour across late 2022 and the first half of next year – see dates below and buy tickets here .

The comedian made his TV comeback in 2020 after two years away. He was supposed to tour the country in 2017 but cancelled due to “unforeseen circumstances” .

Now, he’s confirmed a host of arena dates that begin early next month and run through the first half of 2023, ending up in August.

“It’s good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy,” Kay said in a statement, “and if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now.”

He added: “With the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35. The same price they were on my previous tour in 2010.”

See the full list of dates below. Tickets go on sale here from 10am GMT on Saturday, November 12.

DECEMBER 2022 2 – Manchester, AO Arena  3 – Manchester, AO Arena 16 – London, The O2 17 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena

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JANUARY 2023 6 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena 7 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena 20 – Leeds, First Direct Arena 21 – London, The O2

FEBRUARY 2023 17 – Sheffield, Utilita Arena 18 – London, The O2 23 – Belfast, SSE Arena  24 – Belfast, SSE Arena

MARCH 2023 9 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena 10 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena 22 – London, The O2 23 – Birmingham, Resorts World Arena

APRIL 2023 6 – Dublin, 3Arena 7 – Dublin, 3Arena 21 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 22 – London, The O2

MAY 2023 5 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 6 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro 19 – Leeds, First Direct Arena 20 – London, The O2

JUNE 2023 2 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 3 – London, The O2 16 – Cardiff, International Arena 17 – Cardiff, International Arena

JULY 2023 14 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena 15 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena 28 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 29 – London, The O2

AUGUST 2023 11 – Sheffield, Utilita Arena 29 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 30 – London, The O2

SEPTEMBER 2023 9 – London, The O2 22 – Manchester, AO Arena 23 – Manchester, AO Arena

OCTOBER 2023 7 – London, The O2 19 – Manchester, AO Arena 20 – Manchester, AO Arena

NOVEMBER 2023 5 – Manchester, AO Arena 6 – Manchester, AO Arena 18 – London, The O2

DECEMBER 2023 1 – Manchester, AO Arena 16 – London, The O2

JANUARY 2024 5 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 6 – London, The O2 26 – Manchester, AO Arena 27 – Manchester, AO Arena

FEBRUARY 2024 9 – Manchester, AO Arena 10 – Manchester, AO Arena 24 – London, The O2

MARCH 2024 8 – Manchester, AO Arena 9 – Manchester, AO Arena 23 – London, The O2

APRIL 2024 5 – Manchester, AO Arena 6 – Manchester, AO Arena 19 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 20 – London, The O2

MAY 2024 3 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 4 – London, The O2 17 – Manchester, AO Arena 18 – Manchester, AO Arena

JUNE 2024 2 – London, The O2 14 – Manchester, AO Arena 15 – Manchester, AO Arena

JULY 2024 13 – London, The O2 26 – Manchester, AO Arena 27 – Manchester, AO Arena

AUGUST 2024 9 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 23 – Manchester, AO Arena 24 – Manchester, AO Arena

SEPTEMBER 2023 20 – Manchester, AO Arena 21 – Manchester, AO Arena

OCTOBER 2024 7 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 18 – Manchester, AO Arena 19 – Manchester, AO Arena

NOVEMBER 2024 1 – Manchester, AO Arena 2 – Manchester, AO Arena 15 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 29 – Manchester, AO Arena 30 – Manchester, AO Arena

DECEMBER 2024 6 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena 20 – Manchester, AO Arena 21 – Manchester, AO Arena

JANUARY 2025 10 – Manchester, AO Arena 11 – Manchester, AO Arena 24 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena

Kay has only made brief public appearances following the cancellation of his stand-up tour in 2017 due to “unforeseen family circumstances” – including an appearance on  Children In Need and Comic Relief’s Big Night In  in 2020.

A statement announcing the tour’s cancellation read: “Due to unforeseen family circumstances, I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects. This unfortunately includes my upcoming stand-up tour, Dance For Life shows and any outstanding live work commitments.

“My sincerest apologies. This decision has not been taken lightly and I’m sure you’ll understand my family must always come first.

“I’ve always endeavoured to protect my family’s privacy from the media. I hope that the media and public will continue to respect my privacy at this time. Once again, I’m very sorry.”

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Peter Kay announces return to stand-up comedy with first live tour in 12 years

Comedian Peter Kay has announced he is returning to stand-up with his first live tour in 12 years.

Sharing the news on his Facebook page shortly after 9.30pm on Sunday, Mr Kay said “if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now”.

Kay said in the post: “It’s good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy and if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now.

“And with the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35. The same price they were on my previous tour in 2010.”

The new tour begins on Friday, December 2 with a show at Manchester Arena, and runs until August 11 next year, when it will end with a show at Sheffield Utilita Arena.

It will see Kay tour a number of northern cities, taking in Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, and Nottingham.

He will also hold shows in Belfast, Dublin, Glasgow and Cardiff.

It will be his first live tour since 2010, when he scored the Guinness World Record for the biggest selling run of all time, playing to more than 1.2 million people.

Peter Kay - In pictures

He had been due to go on tour in 2017, but cancelled the run citing “unforeseen family circumstances”.

News of his impending comeback was also announced during an advertisement break in the series launch of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! on ITV on Sunday night.

It has been widely welcomed by fans on social media. Ali Wade described it on Facebook as the “best news ever”, while Julie Howarth wrote: “Fantastic. Welcome back Peter, you’ve been missed.”

Many others were quick to share their disappointment that the tour is not currently due to visit London or the south.

“Gutted his not coming down south but its brilliant to see him back,” wrote Caroline Langley, while Zoe Stannard said “brilliant gutted you’re not coming south”.

Kay has been largely out of the spotlight in recent years, but has delighted fans with his hit Bafta-winning TV sitcom Car Share.

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He 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 cancer called glioblastoma multiforme.

There was also a brief return in January 2021 when he appeared on BBC Radio 2 to chat to Cat Deeley – who was filling 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 series Car Share in 2018.

Tickets for Peter Kay’s nationwide tour go on sale Saturday November 12 at 10am via www.gigsandtours.com and www.ticketmaster.co.uk. For Belfast and Dublin, tickets will be available at www.ticketmaster.ie.

Everything you need to know ahead of Peter Kay's return to touring

• Entertainment
• Friday 2 December 2022 at 3:51pm

Bolton comedian Peter Kay will return to the stage on 2 December for his first tour in 12 years.

The tour kicks off with a sell-out show at Manchester's AO Arena but the 49-year-old is touring up and down the country.

So where else is he playing? And when? And how much are tickets to see the comedy legend perform?

We answer all your Peter Kay questions.

Listen to Unscripted, the ITV News Entertainment podcast

What dates - and where - is he performing?

Peter Kay's tour kicks off in Manchester on 2 December and goes all the way into 2025.

He will take to stages all across the country, with tour dates in Liverpool, Leeds, Sheffield, Cardiff, Nottingham, Birmingham among other locations.

Here is a full list of 2022/23 tour dates: 2022 dates:

2 and 3 December - AO Arena, Manchester

17 December - Utilita Arena, Birmingham

2023 dates:

6 and 7 January - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool

20 January - First Direct Arena, Leeds

17 February - Utilita Arena, Sheffield

23 and 24 February - SSE Arena, Belfast

9 and 10 March - Utilita Arena, Newcastle

23 March - Resorts World Arena, Birmingham

6 and 7 April - 3Arena, Dublin

5 and 6 May - OVO Hydro, Glasgow

19 May - First Direct Arena, Leeds

16 and 17 June - Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff

14 and 15 July - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham

11 and 12 August - Utilita Arena, Sheffield

29 August - Utilita Arena, Birmingham

30 August - O2 Arena, London

8 September - First Direct Arena, Leeds

9 September - O2 Arena, London

22 and 23 September - A O Arena, Manchester

7 October - O2 Arena, London

19 and 20 October - A O Arena, Manchester

5 and 6 November - A O Arena, Manchester

18 November - O2 Arena, London

1 December - AO Arena, Manchester

16 December - O2 Arena, London

How much will tickets be?

Tickets will start from £35 - the same price as they did when Peter last toured in 2010.

"It’s good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy. And if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now", he said in a statement announcing his comeback tour.

"With the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35 – the same price they were on my previous tour in 2010."

Will I be able to get tickets?

Tickets to Peter Kay's shows in 2022 and 2023 sold out almost instantly, but there are still tickets available for some of his shows later down the line in 2025.

When tickets first went on sale for this tour, some fans reported seeing messages on the Ticketmaster website telling them there were more than 200,000 people ahead of them in the virtual line.

When was the last time he toured?

Peter Kay broke the Guinness World Record for biggest-selling run of all time for his 2010 live tour, where he played to more than 1.2 million people.

Inside Peter Kay's 12-year hiatus as he announces comeback tour

Peter Kay crashed his own website on Sunday after announcing his first stand up tour in more than 12 years

• 16:33, 8 NOV 2022

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After a 12-year hiatus, Peter Kay is back with a number of different show dates across the UK.

Peter Kay crashed his own website on Sunday after announcing his first stand up tour in more than 12 years. Thousands of comedy fans flooded the site to find out more information, causing it to be overloaded with demand.

It was in 2010 that the Bolton-born star last toured with his 'The Tour That Doesn't Tour Tour' show. Around 1.2million saw the show, breaking Guinness World Records for the biggest-selling comedy tour at the time.

READ MORE : Peter Kay announces stand-up comedy return with new tour including four North West gigs

Earlier this year, the comedian returned to the stage with his Dance For Life show in Manchester, London, and Liverpool in aid of Laura Nuttall, who was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour in 2018. But, many have been left wondering what Peter has been doing for the last 12 years.

The Dance For Life show was forced to be postponed from 2020 because of Covid. However, before that the comedian had announced plans for another live tour entitled 'Have Gags, Will Travel', in 2017, although unfortunately this was cancelled due to unforeseen family circumstances, reports HullLive.

All 100 dates, which were set for the following Spring and were to continue for nearly a year, had to be scrapped. The comedian announced the decision on his website in December that year.

"Due to unforeseen family circumstances, I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects," he wrote. "This includes my upcoming stand-up tour, Dance for Life shows and any outstanding live work commitments.

"My sincerest apologies," he continued, insisting the decision had not been 'taken lightly.'

"I'm sure you'll understand that my family must always come first." he said. "I've always endeavoured to protect my family's privacy from the media. I hope that the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time. Once again, I'm very sorry."

How old is Peter Kay and who are his wife and children?

Born on July 2, 1973, the 49-year-old is one of the comedy scene's most famous faces. The funnyman has written, produced and acted in a number of television and film projects, as well as writing three books.

He studied media performance at the University of Salford before working part-time as a stand-up comedian. The comedian is married to Susan Gargan, who he married in 2001.

They have three children together – a teenage son called Charlie Michael Kay and two younger children, who the pair have kept shielded from the public eye. Kay and Gargan have also worked together and are the two directors of Goodnight Vienna Productions, which co-produces Kay’s comedy output.

Where did Peter Kay's career start?

His first-ever appearance on nation TV was in November 1997, when he made a brief cameo on Coronation Street. Appearing opposite Fred Elliott (John Savident) and Ashley Peacock (Casey Carswell), he played the role of a shopfitter who helped rebuild the corner shop.

Years later, in 2004, he appeared in two episodes as a different character, Eric Gartside and he briefly dated Shelly Unwin (Sally Lindsay). The comedians first original show on TV was That Peter Kay Thing, which was broadcast on Channel 4 and first hit our screens in the year 2000.

When did Peter Kay last go on tour?

In 2010, the comedian ran a popular live tour that made it into the Guinness World Record for being the biggest-selling run of all time.

Kay cancelled his last tour in December 2017 citing “unforeseen family circumstances”. But he did make a surprise return at a charity screening of his Bafta-winning TV series Car Share in 2018.

The dad-of-three 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 cancer called glioblastoma multiforme.

What happened to Peter Kay during his hiatus?

In December 2017, he announced he was cancelling his Live Arena Tour and Dance For Life shows. The live arena tour had been due to kick off in April 2018, running until June 2019.

The news to cancel the tour was announced on his website and he insisted it wasn't a decision he had taken lightly. The statement read: "Due to unforeseen family circumstances I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects.

"This unfortunately includes my upcoming stand-up tour, Dance For Life shows and any outstanding live work commitments. My sincerest apologies. This decision has not been taken lightly and I’m sure you’ll understand my family must always come first.

"I’ve always endeavoured to protect my family’s privacy from the media. I hope that the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time. Once again I’m very sorry."

After radio silence, in March 2018 he spoke out about what had happened. He tweeted about a charity night to raise awareness of mitochondrial disease through The Lily Foundation. In a blog post at the time, Peter wrote: “The Lily Foundation is an inspiring charity that helps to improve the lives of children with Mitochondrial Disease. I’ve had first-hand experience of the Foundation’s work and I’m proud to raise both awareness and much needed funds to help with the inspiring work they provide to children and their families.”

Peter, who still lives in his native Bolton, has spoken often about how important family is to him, choosing to avoid parties and red carpets for time at home with Susan and their children.

Where has Peter Kay been since?

According to LeicestershireLive , he was spotted on a tram tour around Blackpool in 2019 and in April 2020 he appeared on BBC’s Big Night In to recreate the video for Tony Christie’s Amarillo.

In April 2022, he took to the stage again to begin his first tour in 11 years, performing his Dance For Life show at Manchester Central Convention Complex on Good Friday. Further shows then took place in Liverpool in August.

He continued to do charity work and launched a new wheelchair accessible 'wheelyboat'. "It’s very lovely to be here today, I’m honoured to be asked to launch this fantastic wheelyboat, which I hope gives a lot of people a lot of pleasure and happiness out on the water," the dad-of-three said on Saturday.

All UK tour dates

• Fri 02 December 2022 Manchester AO Arena
• Sat 03 December 2022 Manchester AO Arena
• Sat 17 December 2022 Birmingham Utilita Arena
• Fri 06 January 2023 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
• Sat 07 January 2023 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
• Fri 20 January 2023 Leeds First Direct Arena
• Fri 17 February 2023 Sheffield Utilita Arena
• Thu 23 February 2023 Belfast SSE Arena
• Fri 24 February 2023 Belfast SSE Arena
• Thu 09 March 2023 Newcastle Utilita Arena
• Fri 10 March 2023 Newcastle Utilita Arena
• Thu 23 March 2023 Birmingham Resorts World Arena
• Thu 06 April 2023 Dublin 3Arena
• Fri 07 April 2023 Dublin 3Arena
• Fri 05 May 2023 Glasgow OVO Hydro
• Sat 06 May 2023 Glasgow OVO Hydro
• Fri 19 May 2023 Leeds First Direct Arena
• Fri 16 June 2023 Cardiff International Arena
• Sat 17 June 2023 Cardiff International Arena
• Fri 14 July 2023 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
• Sat 15 July 2023 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena
• Fri 11 August 2023 Sheffield Utilita Arena
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Peter Kay tour dates, venues and how to get tickets as comedian announces shock return

Bolton-born funnyman Peter Kay revealed his secret plan to tour again during the I'm A Celebrity launch show. The comedian's last stand-up tour was cancelled for personal reasons

• 10:30, 7 Nov 2022
• Updated 15:24, 10 Nov 2022

Peter Kay's new 2022-2023 tour announcement has been met with shock and delight from fans after the funnyman's nearly five-year stint away from the limelight.

The Bolton-born comedian dropped the shock announcement during the first advert break of the I'm A Celebrity launch show, dropping jaws across the country as he appeared on screen carrying a large rolled-up carpet.

In the 30-second ad, a man is shown filming Peter through his car windscreen as he shouts questions over to him.

"Hey look, it's Peter Kay. Hey, garlic bread!" the man shouts, quoting Peter's iconic joke.

"It's the future, lads," the comedian quips back as he wrangles the carpet down a driveway.

"When are you back on tour?" the man asks, and Peter replies: "Next month!"

After telling the man that the stand-up tickets go on sale this Saturday, Peter walks off carrying the carpet while explaining he'd bought his mum a bungalow but now she wants a new carpet - a callback to his last tour titled Mum Wants A Bungalow.

An off-screen voice then announced the comedian's first live stand-up tour in 12 years.

Peter Kay tour dates

Peter's stand-up tour has already sparked consternation from fans after a range of northern cities were picked to host, originally but none in the south - until a second shock announcement.

His tour dates and venues are as follows:

• Friday December 2 - AO Arena, Manchester
• Saturday December 3 - AO Arena, Manchester
• Saturday December 17 - Utilita Arena, Birmingham
• Friday January 6 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
• Saturday January 7 - M&S Bank Arena, Liverpool
• Friday January 20 - First Direct Arena, Leeds
• Friday February 17 - Utilita Arena, Sheffield
• Thursday February 23 - SSE Arena, Belfast
• Friday February 24 - SSE Arena, Belfast
• Thursday March 9 - Utilita Arena, Newcastle
• Friday March 10 - Utilita Arena, Newcastle
• Thursday March 23 - Resorts World Arena, Birmingham
• Thursday April 6 - 3Arena, Dublin
• Friday April 7 - 3Arena, Dublin
• Friday May 5 - OVO Hydro, Glasgow
• Saturday May 6 - OVO Hydro, Glasgow
• Friday May 19 - First Direct Arena, Leeds
• Friday June 16 - Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff
• Saturday June 17 - Cardiff International Arena, Cardiff
• Friday July 14 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
• Saturday July 15 - Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham
• Friday August 11 - Utilita Arena, Sheffield

Peter Kay's residency in London

Following his shock tour announcement, the comedian announced a London residency at the O2 Arena.

The residency will begin next month, with the funny man hosting shows once a month until November 2023.

The dates include:

• Friday, December 16, 2022
• Saturday, January 21, 2023
• Saturday, February 18, 2023
• Wednesday, March 13, 2023
• Saturday, April 22, 2023
• Saturday, May 20, 2023
• Saturday, June 3, 2023
• Saturday, July 29, 2023
• Wednesday, August 30, 2023
• Saturday, September 9, 2023
• Saturday, October 7, 2023
• Saturday, November 18, 2023

How to get Peter Kay tour tickets

Tickets to the Car Share star's tour go on sale at 10am on Saturday November 12.

They will be available through gigsandtours.com , ticketmaster.co.uk ticketmaster.ie and peterkay.co.uk .

How much are Peter Kay tour tickets?

As part of the announcement of his tour, the comedian also gave fans some welcome news: he was slashing the price of his tickets.

"It's good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy and if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now," he said.

"And with the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35. The same price they were on my previous tour in 2010."

The 22-date tour is scheduled to take place between December 2022 and August 2023, although some months have just one or two dates. All of them are scheduled on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, and there are no venues in the south of England that have been picked to host his performances.

Peter's last live stand-up tour in 2010 holds the Guinness World Record for the biggest-selling comedy tour of all time, in which 1.2 million people came to watch him perform.

He was set to smash his own record with a sold-out live arena tour in 2017 but in December of that year shocked fans by cancelling the entire run due to personal reasons .

"Due to unforeseen family circumstances I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects," he tweeted.

"This unfortunately includes my upcoming stand-up tour, Dance For Life shows and any outstanding live work commitments.

"My sincerest apologies. This decision has not been taken lightly and I’m sure you’ll understand my family must always come first.

"I’ve always endeavoured to protect my family’s privacy from the media. I hope that the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time. Once again I’m very sorry."

Peter has previously spoken about the impact touring has on his family - wife Susan Gargan, their eldest son Charlie and their two other children, whose names have never been made public.

"Once you have a family, the only downside of touring is touring," he one said.

It's believed the family temporarily moved to Tipperary in Ireland after he quit showbiz in 2017.

Since then, Peter has made sporadic public appearances for his charity dance-a-thons and in two special episodes of his sitcom Peter Kay's Car Share, which aired in May 2018.

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Why did Peter Kay cancel his last tour? What he said at the time and when his last UK shows were

The 49-year-old comedian, who has been largely absent from the public eye for the last four years, will embark on an arena tour.

Peter Kay is back, as he has announced his return to stand-up comedy with his first live tour in 12 years.

The 49-year-old comedian, who has been largely absent from the public eye for the past four years, will embark on an arena tour.

Kay cancelled his last tour in December 2017, citing “unforeseen family circumstances”.

Here’s everything you need to know.

Why was Peter Kay’s previous UK Tour cancelled?

Peter Kay has had to cancel a few tours in the past years, and he has been largely out of the spotlight.

He was forced to cancel his last stand-up tour, which was due to be 100 shows long and take place over 2018 and 2019, in 2017 due “unforseen family circumstances”. That tour would have marked his return to the stage after eight years.

A statement read: “Due to unforeseen family circumstances I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects.

“This unfortunately includes my upcoming stand-up tour, Dance For Life shows and any outstanding live work commitments.

“My sincerest apologies. This decision has not been taken lightly and I’m sure you’ll understand my family must always come first.

“I’ve always endeavoured to protect my family’s privacy from the media. I hope that the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time. Once again, I’m very sorry.”

Then the 2020 tour, which was planned to raise money for Cancer Research UK, was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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“Obviously this is disappointing news but well and truly justified given the circumstances. We’ll get through this, together and then we’ll all have a great big dance for life,” he said in a statement at the time.

“Stay safe and look after yourselves and the people around you.”

He 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 cancer called glioblastoma multiforme.

There was also a brief return in January 2021 when he appeared on BBC Radio 2 to chat to Cat Deeley – who was filling 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 series Car Share in 2018.

What has he said about this one?

The star’s comeback was announced during an advertisement break in the series launch of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! on ITV.

He said: “It’s good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy, and if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now.”

Following the announcement, Kay’s official website appeared to crash briefly under increased online traffic.

A poster for the event featured Kay holding a sign reading, “Better late than never” and described a ticket to his shows as an “ideal Christmas gift”.

When and where will the tour take place?

Dates spanning from this December to August 2023.

It will be his first live tour since 2010, when he scored the Guinness World Record for the biggest selling run of all time, playing to more than 1.2 million people.

Peter Kay announces his first new live stand-up tour in 12 years! Tickets go on sale 10am Saturday 12th November at https://t.co/EVCiTLh3J7 pic.twitter.com/lJBK8R8Y8I — Peter Kay (@peterkay_co_uk) November 6, 2022

Kay will begin his tour on 2 December at the Manchester AO Arena before visiting locations including Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield, Belfast, Newcastle, Glasgow and Dublin.

His run will end on 11 August 2023 at the Sheffield Utilita Arena.

Here is the full list of dates:

• Friday, 2 December 2022 – Manchester AO Arena
• Saturday, 3 December 2022- Manchester AO Arena
• Saturday, 17 December 2022 – Birmingham Utilita Arena
• Friday, 6 January 2023 – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
• Saturday, 7 January – Liverpool M&S Bank Arena
• Friday, 20 January – Leeds First Direct Arena
• Friday, 17 February – Sheffield Utilita Arena
• Thursday, 23 February – Belfast SSE Arena
• Friday, 24 February – Belfast SSE Arena
• Thursday, 9 March – Newcastle Utilita Arena
• Friday, 10 March – Newcastle Utilita Arena
• Thursday, 23 March – Birmingham Resorts World Arena
• Thursday, 6 April – Dublin 3Arena
• Friday, 7 April – Dublin 3Arena
• Friday, 5 May – Glasgow OVO Hydro
• Saturday, 6 May – Glasgow OVO Hydro
• Friday, 19 May – Leeds First Direct Arena

How can I get tickets?

Peter confirmed that tickets would not be out of people’s reach.

He said: “And with the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35 – the same price they were on my previous tour in 2010.”

Tickets go on sale on Saturday 12 November at 10am through Ticketmaster.

O2 customers signed up to its Priority service can purchase tickets from 10am on Thursday 10 November.

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Peter Kay review – from tried and tested everyman routine to jaw-dropping pageant

Manchester Arena After 12 years away from the stage, the slimmed-down entertainer is more unapologetically nostalgic than ever

N o hotcake ever sold in greater quantity than tickets for Peter Kay’s new tour : at one stage in my own bid for access, I was numbered 450,000 in the online queue. It’s a fair bet, then, that Kay will break the record he himself set in 2010 for the biggest-selling standup tour of all time – 1.2 million people saw that show. But is all the fuss justified? And will the long wait for this new show, fraught with speculation about Kay’s health and the likelihood of him ever touring again, prove worthwhile?

If there was any doubt, it was dispelled the moment the slimmed-down 49-year-old stepped onstage at the Manchester Arena. The reception was long, loud and, for Kay, tear-jerking. He took a pause to settle himself: “How’m I supposed to do bloody comedy now?” Not much doubt, though, how Kay was going to do comedy. The two-hour show scarcely deviated from the everyman formula that has made him such a popular success. Some of it, indeed, was almost parodically formulaic, as the Bolton man riffed on modern technology (“What did we do before Amazon? Catalogues!”), led a singalong of 1970s advertising jingles, and gave his famous “garlic bread” routine an Italian makeover.

But for all that, it didn’t come across as just another Peter Kay show. It has a more reflective air: the first half found Kay reminiscing on the dead-end jobs he worked before he was famous, including a stint as an usher in this very arena. The show’s other theme is the recent death of his 96-year-old nan, a big presence in Kay’s life. Earlier, that manifested as some first-base gags about gran’s malapropisms. Later, it prompted a sentimental finale, as a conversation grandson had with granny at the end of her life is replayed over a family-album slideshow.

Elsewhere, while the set never directly addresses the reasons for Kay’s temporary disappearance from public life, there is a section on his recent health challenges. In comic terms, it’s the strongest part of the show, as Kay rolls his eyes at the anaesthetist asking for a selfie, then recounts the indignities of his recent operation for kidney stones. It’s familiar standup territory, but Kay’s got a minimalist gift for expressing indignity and dismay – and there’s a great acting-out of a genitally entangled couple making their way to hospital after an unfortunate post-op accident.

While this routine is fit to stand alongside well-loved favourites from Kay’s earlier shows, some of the material in the first act barely registers as comedy. When our host orchestrates the audience in a TV theme recital, say, or goes all misty-eyed at one chocolate-bar jingle after another, his role is more conduit for our collective memory than comedian. You look in vain for punchlines – at least until the show’s multiple encores, when those early sections are revisited and built upon in quite spectacular fashion.

It would be unsporting to say too much about the jaw-dropping pageant that Kay lays on here, after the comedy show proper has come to an end. In keeping with the evening’s reflective vibe, there’s a section on misunderstood song lyrics, calling back to one of Kay’s most popular routines – and as funny as ever, because Kay takes so much pleasure in sharing with us these daft misapprehensions. After that, things get wilder, as all those TV themes and jingles return with bells and whistles added – and celebrity cameos, and hot air balloons, and our host dressed like Sergeant Pepper, living out his rockstar dreams.

By the end of Kay’s return to the stage after 12 years away, you can’t help but submit, not just to the spectacle, but to Kay’s commitment to celebrating his generational experience. Top Cat, the Bodyform advert, Blockbuster video: Kay doesn’t just joke about these Proustian madeleines of our shared youth – he fashions his whole show into a hymn to them. One can only imagine what anyone under 30 would think. But for Kay’s fans, it’s catnip. He returns to the stage older, as unapologetically traditional and even more nostalgic than ever, and delivers a show that’s pretty much irresistible.

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Why were Peter Kay's Manchester shows cancelled? Comedian says he is 'gutted' after Co-op Live gigs get rescheduled

O n Monday, April 22, Peter Kay took to his social media handles to share the news of his upcoming gigs in Manchester's Co-op Live being canceled. The shows, which were scheduled for April 23 and 2, have been rescheduled at the same venue for April 29 and 30.

The reason behind Peter Kay's shows being rescheduled was that the venue's testing was not completed within the expected timeframe.

In a statement released by Co-op Live, Kay shared:

"I'm truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it's a brand-new venue and it's important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences."

Talking about the new dates for his shows following the rescheduling process, the stand-up comedian said how he would have to miss his Bums &Tums class but "hopefully I'll see you soon."

The news of Kay's shows being rescheduled created an uproar among his fans, especially those with their tickets already purchased. Many of them commented on the post, expressing their disapproval of the inconvenience it had created for them. Here are some X reactions for the same:

The Co-op Live also announced that those who have already purchased the ticket and might not be able to attend the show on rescheduled dates will receive a full refund for the same, including the parking.

Peter Kay's Co-op Live gigs were rescheduled due to delay in venue's testing

In its statement about rescheduling Peter Kay's gigs in the Co-op Live, the entertainment arena also disclosed why it had to be done, saying:

"It is critical to ensure that we have a consistent power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is running a few days behind. Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly. This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size."

The indoor entertainment arena, which was previously scheduled to open on April 23, will offer seating to 23,500 people, making it the largest maximum capacity indoor arena in all of the United Kingdom, surpassing the Manchester Arena , which seats 21,000 people.

With Peter Kay's shows moved ahead, Co-op Live's grand opening event will also take place on April 29. However, The Black Keys will be hosted in the arena on April 27 with an audience of 10,000, as planned as they "continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations."

Peter Kay's Co-op Live gigs are part of his comeback tour 'Better Late Than Never'

Peter Kay is currently in the middle of his third live stand-up tour - Better Late Than Never - which started on December 16, 2022, and is expected to end on December 5, 2025. In this three-year-long tour, Peter Kay will be performing in 13 different venues, including Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, Belfast, Dublin, Liverpool, Nottingham, Glasgow, and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Better Late Than Never also marks Peter Kay's comeback in the comedy industry after 12 years, since his last scheduled tour - Have Gags, Will Travel (2018-2019) - was canceled in 2017. At the time, the stand-up comedian had announced canceling all future projects due to "unforeseen family circumstances."

Aside from his canceled tour, Peter Kay has done two live stand-up comedy tours in his career. The first one - Mum Wants a Bungalow Tour - had 89 dates between 2002-2003, followed by The Tour That Doesn't Tour Tour... Now on Tour between 2010-2011. Peter Kay sold over one million tickets in the latter.

Peter Kay gigs pulled just a day ahead of Co-op Live's launch in Manchester

Peter Kay was due to open the new Manchester venue Co-op Live this week with two huge comedy gigs, while singer Rick Astley's preview concert over the weekend was also hit with problems.

Arts and entertainment reporter @BethanyMinelle

Monday 22 April 2024 15:19, UK

Comedian Peter Kay has been forced to postpone two shows at Co-op Live in Manchester due to the brand-new arena's power testing falling "a few days" behind schedule.

The record-breaking stand-up comedian had been due to open the new venue - which is now the UK's biggest arena - on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.

The 50-year-old Phoenix Nights star said in a statement: "I'm truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it's a brand-new venue and it's important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences.

"Fortunately, we've been able to reschedule the shows to next week, (I'll have to miss my Bums & Tums class) but hopefully I'll see you then."

Co-op Live shared a statement on their Twitter feed, telling followers: "Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay.

"These dates will move from 23 April and 24 Wednesday to Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April."

The spokesperson for the venue explained that an issue around the power supply was the cause of the cancellation.

"It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind.

"Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly. This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size."

An important update from Co-op Live. Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay. These dates will move from 23 April and 24 Wednesday to Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April. pic.twitter.com/SxW50Ph5hm — Co-op Live (@TheCoopLive) April 22, 2024

The statement added: "Peter Kay has very graciously agreed to perform his record-breaking comedy at Co-op Live on 29 (rescheduled from 23) and 30 (rescheduled from 24) April 2024. All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase."

They said refunds would be available for any ticketholders who could no longer attend the event, and flagged that the date change might mean new tickets become available for fans who missed out the first time round.

The venue added: "We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause for some. We are thrilled to welcome Peter Kay as our grand opening act just a few days later than planned."

Over the weekend, a preview concert starring Rick Astley was also hit by delays, with ticket capacity slashed just hours before his gig was due to begin.

Astley fans who had their tickets cancelled have instead been offered seats to see US rock band the Black Keys play next week.

Once fully open, the arena - which is next to Manchester City's football ground - will have a capacity of 23,500, overtaking the capacity of the existing Manchester Arena which has a capacity of 21,000.

Built at an estimated cost of £365m, the arena counts former One Direction singer Harry Styles as one of its investors, with the pop star also advising on some elements of the arena's design.

Read more: Gogglebox star died of traumatic injuries, inquest hears Warwick Davis apologises after post causes concern Huw Edwards resigns from BBC, corporation says

Other stars set to play at the venue include Take That, Liam Gallagher, Olivia Rodrigo and Eric Clapton.

Peter Kay has been on a comeback tour - his first since 2010 - since December, with stops in Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds scheduled through to next year.

In 2010, Kay won the Guinness World Record for the biggest-selling stand-up tour of all time - playing to a total of 1.2 million people.

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Peter Kay cancels sold-out Co-op Live Manchester gig with just 24 hours to go

Comedian said he was ‘truly gutted’ to be moving dates, article bookmarked.

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Peter Kay has been forced to reschedule two sold-out Manchester dates due to technical complications at the venue .

It was planned that the comedian would be the first performer to grace the stage of the new 23,500 capacity Manchester arena Co-op Live , but after the venue faced complications at a Rick Astley test event on Saturday, it issued an apology saying that Kay’s performances have been pushed back.

Kay’s two dates have been moved from Tuesday 23 and Wednesday 24 April, to Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April.

The comedian said in a statement: “I’m truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it’s a brand-new venue and it’s important that everything is finished and safe for full-capacity audiences.”

“Fortunately, we’ve been able to reschedule the shows to next week, (I’ll have to miss my Bums & Tums class) but hopefully I’ll see you then."

A spokesperson for the venue said: "Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay. These dates will move from 23 April and 24 Wednesday to Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April.”

The venue is fully electric but faced difficulties in keeping its power supply consistent in time for its opening.

“It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind. Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly. This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size,” said the spokesperson.

“Peter Kay has very graciously agreed to perform his record-breaking comedy at Co-op Live on 29 (rescheduled from 23) and 30 (rescheduled from 24) April 2024. All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend.

“We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause for some. We are thrilled to welcome Peter Kay as our grand opening act just a few days later than planned.”

The venue, which cost £365m in total, has been built by City Football Group – owned by billionaire UAE royal and deputy prime minister Sheikh Mansour – and Oakview Music Group, co-founded by US music mogul Irving Azoff.

Harry Styles invested in the stadium and advised on some elements of its design. Local artist Liam Gallagher, the former Oasis frontman, Olivia Rodrigo, Take That and Eric Clapton are among some of the other musicians scheduled to play there.

A BBC report of Astley’s show said the arena still has some “ironing out” to do before Kay’s event.

“Some areas weren’t ready, most of the seating wasn’t open, some of the hand-dryers in the toilets weren’t working, food was running out… and the queues for food and drink were slightly chaotic,” arts and entertainment correspondent Ian Youngs said.

Co-op claims that the east Manchester arena will be the UK’s “largest and most socially responsible live entertainment venue”.

It boasts 32 bars, restaurants and lounges and will have the largest floor space of any indoor venue in Manchester.

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Peter Kay's huge Co-op Live arena opening gig is CANCELLED with just 24 hours to go

The show is set to be rescheduled for next week

• 12:51, 22 APR 2024
• Updated 13:32, 22 APR 2024

Peter Kay’s huge gig at Manchester’s brand new Co-op Live arena has been cancelled. The comedian's second show at the venue on Wednesday evening (April 24) has also been cancelled.

The highly-anticipated show was due to go ahead tomorrow (Tuesday, April 23) at the 23,500-capacity venue. It would have been the showpiece opening for the city's flagship new venue, the largest in the UK.

But today (Monday), just the day before, it has been announced that both shows have been cancelled with work not yet complete on the Eastlands venue. The council's building control is also yet to sign the building off.

READ NEXT: Inside what went wrong before Co-op Live's test event - and the frantic race to finish the venue

This afternoon, Co-op Live has confirmed that both shows will be rescheduled. The two Peter Kay dates will take place next Monday (29 April) and Tuesday (30 April).

A spokesperson for Co-op Live said: "Following our first test event on Saturday, regretfully we have made the difficult decision to reschedule our two opening performances by Peter Kay. These dates will move from 23 April and 24 Wednesday to Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April.

"It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind. Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly. This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size.

"Peter Kay has very graciously agreed to perform his record-breaking comedy at Co-op Live on 29 (rescheduled from 23) and 30 (rescheduled from 24) April 2024. All tickets remain valid and ticket holders will be contacted by their point of purchase. Refunds will be available for those who can no longer attend. We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this change will undoubtedly cause for some.

"We are thrilled to welcome Peter Kay as our grand opening act just a few days later than planned."

Peter Kay said: “I’m truly gutted as I know how disappointing this will be for everyone with tickets, but obviously it’s a brand-new venue and it’s important that everything is finished and safe for full capacity audiences.”

“Fortunately, we’ve been able to reschedule the shows to next week, (I’ll have to miss my Bums & Tums class) but hopefully I’ll see you then."

Co-op Live added: "We can’t wait to welcome fans to Co-op Live for our official grand opening events with Peter Kay, and to showcase Co-op Live at its very best. We will still be hosting The Black Keys on 27 April in the lower bowl with 10K fans as planned, and will continue to test the resilience of the venue and its operations."

This comes after problems with power at the site, which are believed to have affected the fire safety and emergency services communication systems, led to bosses slashing attendance from around 11,000 to 4,000 at Saturday night's test event - less than two hours before it was due to start. Insiders claimed 'everything was run down to the wire' ahead of the test show starring Rick Astley.

Manchester City Council's building control department cannot issue a completion certificate while work is still ongoing at the site, which is understood to include corridors and wiring. The venue could still operate without this certificate after presenting council bosses with a mitigation strategy to manage potential risks, although details of this plan have not been made public.

Previously, bosses at Co-op Live said teams were on-site 'throwing everything at it' to prepare for the venue's grand opening. A Co-op Live spokesman said: “Opening a venue of this size requires working very closely with multiple stakeholders and responsible authorities to deliver against a rigorous set of guidelines and protocols.

"Leading into our test event, some systems had limited electrical power which we were only able to mitigate by reducing capacity. This meant we made the difficult decision to reduce the capacity of our test event and deeply regret the impact this had on our invited guests.

"We do recognise that many people were inconvenienced yesterday evening at very short notice and apologise to all affected. We're working hard to complete Co-op Live and look forward to welcoming fans and artists to the venue soon.”

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Peter Kay Live

Better late than never.

• Date 2 - 3 Dec , 2022
• Doors Open 6:30pm
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Event Details

Peter Kay Announces Return to Stand-up with First Live Tour in Twelve Years

One of Britain’s best loved comedians, Peter Kay, is finally returning to stand-up comedy after twelve years. “It’s good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy and if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now” “And with the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35. The same price they were on my previous tour in 2010”

Peter’s 2010 tour still officially ranks with the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest selling comedy tour of all time, playing to over 1.2 million people.

When do tickets go on sale?

Tickets are on sale now via our official ticketing partner, Ticketmaster

Can I access any presales?

Customers of mobile network Three can get their hands on pre-sale tickets through their rewards app, Three+.

To access the pre-sale, fans need to be a Three UK customer (Pay Monthly or Pay As You Go) and have downloaded and registered on the Three+ app before the pre-sale opens.

Pre-sale tickets for this event are available from 10am on Thursday 10 November.

Can I book accessible tickets online?

Yes, you can buy accessible tickets via our ticketing partner, Ticketmaster  

Useful information when booking accessibility tickets online;

• Note that you will need to register with  Ticketmaster's accessibility scheme  in order to receive a free companion ticket.  
• Please make sure you select the 'All Ticket Types' button and highlight Ambulant/Wheelchair space etc. 
• Please note that the Accessible Symbol is used for a number of access requirements.
• Make sure that you read the description thoroughly to ensure you are booking the appropriate tickets.  
• The 22 September 2023 show will have a BSL interpreter.
• Note that ROW X is not suitable for wheelchair users as it has 10 steps to access the row.
• Essential Companion tickets are for accessible customers who require a companion to assist and accompany them during their visit.
• The position next to the accessible ticket should be chosen when booking (where this is an option) and all tickets must be purchased in one transaction. 
• Free companion tickets cannot be added retrospectively.
• After making a booking - you will then be emailed with the instructions on how to register to the Ticketmaster Access Scheme. 
• Please visit the Arena website for all on-sale times and dates.
• If you have access to a pre-sale, please follow the instructions included in the pre-sale email.
• For all other access requirements including sight and hearing-impaired requirements, bringing something else into the venue (for example, assistance dogs, oxygen cylinders, ventilators etc., please contact the venue’s accessibility team on 0161 950 5229.
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• Please do not call multiple times after leaving your initial message.

Is there an age limit for the show?

Yes, this show is strictly 15+

What time does the show start?

The show starts at 8pm prompt. 

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Doors are scheduled to open at 6:30pm, please arrive in plenty of time to pass through security and find your seats.

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NEWS... BUT NOT AS YOU KNOW IT

Inside UK’s new biggest indoor £365,000,000 arena after Peter Key cancels opening shows

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Manchester’s new Co-Op Live has become the UK’s biggest indoor arena after opening its doors over the weekend.

The brand new venue, a £365 million operation built near to Manchester City ’s Etihad football stadium, has a capacity of 23,500 as it looks to give the North a venue on the level of The O2 in London even after Peter Kay was forced to cancel his big plans this week.

The arena has had investment from local lad and pop megastar Harry Styles , even as a minor financial partner, and he’s even been involved giving advice on certain design elements.

On Saturday, the venue housed a test event with local lad Rick Astley, and Peter Kay’s official opening has been delayed, with gigs tomorrow and Wednesday now rescheduled to Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 April.

A statement posted on his official X page read: ‘Following Coop Live’s first test event on Saturday, regretfully the venue operators have made the difficult decision to reschedule the two opening performances by Peter Kay

From there, Manchester can look forward to a stacked lineup of top stars set to take to the stage.

The venue has been built by City Football Group, which is owned by billionaire Sheikh Mansour, who is an UAE royal and the country’s deputy prime minister.

Oakview Music Group have also played a big role, with the organisation co-founded by music mogul Irving Azoff, whose business partner and son Jeff manages the likes of U2 and Harry Styles himself.

Further backers include SJM and Gaiety, and the venue wants to build on securing this year’s MTV Europe Music Awards with other massive events.

Almost there…⏳ pic.twitter.com/r0O63gSa35 — Co-op Live (@TheCoopLive) March 25, 2024

Co-op Live executive director and general manager Gary Roden told the BBC: ‘There’s no reason why the Brits can’t come up north.’

It’s an innovative space, with modern suites and even an in-house gym for artists, while Harry himself advised on no advertising boards to let performers focus on enjoying the moment.

‘That costs us money not to have advertising in here,’ Gary added. ‘But that’s a decision that we’ve made in order to maximise the connection between artist and fan.’

The shape of the venue is also unique, with the floor – which has the capacity for 9,200 standing punters – being shorter but wider than more arenas around the world.

Manchester’s longstanding AO Arena – which has been in operation under a range of names for almost 30 years – has launched its own £50 million renovation to raise its own capacity by 2,000 to 23,000.

Who is set to perform at Co-Op Live?

After Rick Astley’s test run and legendary comic Peter Kay ’s two night stint next week, the arena has already secured a huge lineup.

The Black Keys, Olivia Rodrigo , Keane, Take That, Elbow and Eric Clapton are all set for big shows, while Barry Manilow has signed on for an exclusive arena show next month.

Eagles, who are managed by Co-Op Live investor Irving Azoff, will perform a farewell residency at the Manchester venue in June, followed by shows from Pet Shop Boys, The Smashing Pumpkins, James, Liam Gallagher , The Killers, Pearl Jam and Megan Thee Stallion .

Stevie Nicks, Kings of Leon, Justin Timberlake , Niall Horan, The Jonas Brothers, Charlie XCX, Slipknot, Sleep Token, Simply Red and Jason Manford also appear on a diverse bill.

How to buy tickets for events at Co-Op Live

Tickets for most shows announced from now until September are available to book on the Co-Op Live website, which takes you to Ticketmaster.

There look to still tickets available for most shows, with the full listings available here .

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