CityLife

Peter Kay returns to stand-up with MEN Arena residency

Peter Kay in his old steward's jacket when he played the Arena in 2003

PETER Kay is coming home - to the M.E.N. Arena.

The Bolton funnyman announced today that he is going back to stand-up seven years since he last delighted a Manchester audience.

He took the Arena by storm on the last night of his nationwide My Mum wants a Bungalow tour in 2003 arriving on stage in the yellow jacket he used to wear when he worked there as a steward.

But this time Peter is staying put at the Arena and the world will come to him.

Tickets for the The Tour That Doesn't Tour Tour on April 27, 28, 29 and 30 2010 will go on sale tomorrow and if there is the expected massive demand for tickets, the shows may run into May.

Kay said: "Playing the Arena is big deal to me, it feels like home, in fact I can almost see my house from the roof.  I've a lot of history with the Arena, having worked there as a steward when it first opened in 1995 with Torvill & Dean to eventually performing the last night of my Mum Wants A Bungalow Tour there in 2003.

"It seemed the perfect place to return to stand-up. I also think of Manchester as home, the people have always been so supportive over the years so it made great sense to play there again.

'Groundbreaking deal'

"It's taken me a while to want to perform stand-up again, the main catalyst was writing my second book, Saturday Night Peter, which was all about my days working on the club circuit performing stand-up around Manchester and across Britain.

"Recalling all those thoughts and nerves brought back a desire to go back. I think I'd regret not doing stand-up again, it is terrifying there's no getting around that but when it goes well there's nothing like it in the world."

The 'Tour that doesn't Tour Tour' is the brainchild of Peter Kayand John Knight, general manager of the MEN Arena

Mr Knight said: "This is a groundbreaking deal in the industry. I first suggested to Peter over a year ago that when he was ready to perform live again he should simply take over this Arena for a run instead of trekking round the country every night. It means that SMG, the operators of the Arena, are promoting the shows directly with Peter. We are working closely together on all aspects of the event - plus he gets to sleep in his own bed every night!"

It is hoped that Peter Kay's famous characters including Brian Potter from Phoenix Nights, reality star Geraldine and Max from the Max and Paddy duo will join him on stage but the exact format of the show remains a closely guarded secret.

Mr Knight added: "Peter is keeping his cards close to his chest but he is working on a completely new show that will surprise everyone."

The run of shows is expected to be a massive boost for the Manchester economy with a high demand for hotel rooms for fans who will travel from all over the country to see their comedy hero.

Tickets go on sale at 11am tomorrow. Call the Arena on 0844 847 8000 or log on to www.men-arena.com.