Fans were left amazed as Peter Key returned to Manchester for the start of his mammoth three-year tour.
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 star's full return to stand-up for the first new tour in 12 years was met with a huge ovation by Friday night's crowd that left the comic wiping away tears.
“Lovely Manchester you made me cry,” Peter said.
REVIEW: Peter Kay makes triumphant return to stand-up with rapturous homecoming at Manchester AO Arena
“I can’t believe I cried, where did it come from all that emotion?”
But judging by fans' reactions after the show - the hundreds of thousands of people who have tickets to watch Peter are in for a treat.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News outside the arena after the show Amanda Fox, from Wigan, said: “It was amazing, really different, a lot of new stuff.
"He was fantastic. He made references to his previous jokes which was good.
"And the end was just a complete surprise, didn’t not expect it at all. It was absolutely amazing. When it first started there was a standing ovation and he cried, it was totally genuine, you could tell it meant a lot to him. It was wonderful.”
Lesley Allan, from Rochdale, said: "It was absolutely amazing, totally worth the wait. And the ending, oh my god. It was so special. He was on top form. At the start as well he started crying, he didn’t get going for a bit because everyone was on their feet."
Leigh Ardman, who joined Lesley added: "It was just fantastic, he was brilliant. I won tickets to the show in a raffle, we were four rows from the front, a birds eye view! We couldn’t have asked for better seats. It was just fantastic, totally, totally worth the wait. He was amazing. And you could tell it meant a lot for him. Just amazing."
A mum and daughter, who didn’t wish to be named, told us: “It was absolutely amazing. And the ending was spectacular. It was a really special show and he paid homage to his other jokes. It was brilliant.”
And another family said: “It was fantastic, he was on such good form. And he paid homage to his other jokes but it was a lot of new material too. And the ending was just fantastic, it was so special.”
Fans also took to social media after the show to express their delight at the show.
Ryan Cunningham said: "Absolutely incredible! Everyone is in for a treat! What a bloody guy." Fan @oliviamill27 tweeted: "Peter Kay. Legend. What a privilege to see him back on stage."
@LewBam added: "Peter Kay is the funniest man on earth, incredible night!" @walkmich84 commented: "Tonight was absolutely brilliant, welcome back! We’ve missed you"
And JCook93 tweeted: "Peter Kay, you put on one hell of a show"
Naturally, when the tour was announced , it sent fans into a frenzy.
The tour announcement sparked unprecedented demand 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.
Read more of today's top stories here.
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