Peter Kay's first stand-up tour in 12 years started with a bang on Friday night as he wowed fans in Manchester - so anyone with tickets for the comedy legend's shows in Newcastle next March looks to be in for a treat.
The Bolton-born comic began his comeback at Manchester's AO Arena and the Manchester Evening News's reviewer was among the delighted punters - rating the gig five stars and saying: "It was like he'd never been away." Peter has near sold out 110 tour dates over the next three years, and the MEN reported he was "really touched" by a rapturous reception as he returned to the stage.
According to the review, he said: "Lovely Manchester you made me cry." And then reviewer Dianne Bourne said he went on to make the crowd "laugh and laugh". She added: "This show really did have it all - for the die-hards there was the knowing laughs to famous quips from years gone by. For those who have never seen him live before there were his hilarious musings on modern life."
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It sounds like Peter's show features yet more of his signature observational humour, while performing in Manchester also allowed the top comic to remember his humble beginnings - he worked at the same arena as a steward in the 1990s.
“I’m so f****** grateful,” he told 15,000 fans. "I was a steward and now I’m up here." The show also included some anecdotes about famous faces, and even what the reviewer called "some hilariously near-to-the-knuckle anecdotes about some of them".
A two-hour long show was full of surprises and saw Peter, 49, "in fine form" - and even making jokes about his weight loss, and the clickbait internet stories about that. There's a "rocking finale to look forward to" and a stunning cameo appearance, too. But, after Peter asked fans to respect future audiences by not videoing the show - fans will have to wait and see what he has in store when he hits the Utilita Arena.
Peter Kay's gigs at the Utilita Arena are on March 9 and March 10 next year - though both are already sold out. In November, fans in Newcastle begged for more tour dates in the city after the "crazy scramble" for tickets.
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