Thousands of Peter Kay fans flocked to Manchester’s AO Arena on Friday night giddy with excitement about seeing the comedy star’s huge homecoming show that starts a mammoth 110-gig run.
The tour will bring together thousands of comedy fans to witness the Phoenix Nights star's full return to stand-up comedy for the first new tour in 12 years.
Fans young and old spoke to the Manchester Evening News of their “good luck” at beating off hundreds of thousands of others to get the coveted first night tickets after they went on sale. And many were just so happy to be able to see the Bolton funnyman back on stage.
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From 6.30pm, thousands lined the streets around the AO Arena, eagerly awaiting his return to the stage.
Wayne Briggs, 60, from Blackpool, was first in the queue outside the arena and spoke of his personal joy at being at the gig. He missed seeing Peter’s last appearance here after collapsing and being diagnosed with leukaemia.
He said: “I’m a mad fan and I would not be missing this one for anything after missing the last show. When I first joined the queue for tickets it said 87,000 in front of me but somehow I got through.”
As to what he hoped from the new tour he said: “We’d love to hear some of the old stuff but we want to hear new stuff too. The main thing is seeing him back on stage on the first night.”
Boltonians in the crowd were particularly looking forward to the show. Kayleigh Brannigan, 31, was with mum Dawn Dykes, 56, and brother Simon, 29, and neighbour Simon Brannigan.
Simon said: “We are huge fans but never seen him live. I have watched his stuff that many times I probably know the scripts to every episode of Phoenix Nights.”
Kayleigh said: “Whenever you go anywhere in the world and say you’re from Bolton they say oh Peter Kay, he’s just the best.”
Famous faces were also in the crowds including Hollyoaks star Kirsty-Leigh Porter and partner Paul Barber. They failed to get tickets at first but were so desperate to see his first night they paid four times the price to get there.
Kirsty-Leigh said: “We’ve just got to be here for his opening night. I hope he does some of his old stuff but mostly it will just be great to see him on stage.” Paul laughed: “We hope he throws in some garlic bread!”
Megan Rooney, 24, and boyfriend Lewis Case, 28, from Chorley were excited to see him live - a week after Peter made a surprise appearance at Lewis’ family shop Buy a Bike in Charnock Richard.
Megan said: “He’s just the best comedian. I had a feeling I would get tickets but I know I got lucky getting through and I was buzzing.”
The show also meant so much to so many people. Pauline Freeman, 57, and husband Kevin Freeman, 62, from Wilmslow said it was there first proper night out in two years.
Their two sons bought them tickets as an early Christmas present and they used the tram for the first time to get there.
Pauline said: “We watch him on telly but there’s nothing like seeing the real thing. It’s a dream for us tonight to be out for the first time in two years it really is.”
Kevin added: “it’s been 12 years too long since he last toured.”
Naturally, when the tour was announced , it sent fans into a frenzy.
The tour announcement sparked an unprecedented clamour for tickets when the initial 22 tour dates first went on sale. Now Peter will play an incredible 110 live shows in total across 2022, 2023, 2024 and right into 2025.
After announcing the tour, 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." And after seeing the demand for the shows, admitted he was " blown away " by the fan reaction.
The two opening nights in Manchester sold out within minutes of going on sale - as did many, many others of the eventual 110 dates added over the next three years.
In recent months, a select few fans had a sneak preview when Peter played a series of top secret warm-up shows at The Lowry's studio space.
Fans had to leave their phones at the door before they went in, but those who have spoken about the shows have been gushing with praise for what they saw. One fan told the MEN after watching one of the shows last month that Peter had everybody "creasing" with laughter.
She said at the time: "It was amazing, a really great night, there was lots of new material and then some nostalgic classic lines thrown in there as well, some great nods to the past and the crowd were really happy with that. In the encore he brought back an old favourite sketch and it still had the crowd creasing."
She added: "The crowd gave two standing ovations and it was so well deserved. People going to see the tour are in for a real treat."
Fans will finally get to see if they agree with that on Friday night in Manchester - keep an eye out for our website where we will bring you all the updates and fan reaction here at the M.E.N too.
Read more of today's top stories here.
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