PETER Kay is officially the biggest and fastest selling live comedy act of all time – after more than 600,000 tickets were snapped up for his new tour.
The Bolton comedian sold 200,000 tickets for 20 dates at the MEN Arena last month when the star said he would not be touring.
But due to demand Kay was forced to take his show on the road and on Friday a further 400,000 tickets were snapped up for dates at eight arenas around the country.
The MEN Arena gigs will take place in April and May next year with Kay going on tour in November and December.
Overwhelmed
The funnyman said: “I couldn’t comprehend the demand in Manchester but this is amazing, I’m completely overwhelmed.
“I’m going to give people a cracking night. Mind you, saying that, I better get my head down and write some jokes.”
Promoter Simon Moran, of SJM Concerts, added: “These are completely astonishing sales – over 400,000 tickets sold in three hours. Peter's popularity is totally unprecedented.”
It is the first time he has returned to stand-up comedy in seven years. He still holds the record for the biggest selling stand-up DVD and autobiography of all time.
The roly-poly comic is also currently number one in the charts for a second week with his Animated All Star Band in aid of Children In Need.
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Pumpkin Soup (05/12/2009 at 17:37)
Well for those who are going to see hom, I hope he isn't as big a disappointment as Steve Coogan's Alan Partridge comback.
Anglosaxon, Norden (05/12/2009 at 19:03)
NickS (05/12/2009 at 19:23)
But I notice within minutes they started appearing on ebay for ridiculous amounts again.
Careless Whisper (05/12/2009 at 20:38)
jo from hamm (05/12/2009 at 23:42)
JayTilzey, m29 (06/12/2009 at 01:10)
AngusDangus, Salford (06/12/2009 at 10:19)
Fantasy Football, Middle Eastlands (06/12/2009 at 11:47)
I loved the man and his comedy after Phoenix Nights and his early stand up stuff but he has just lived off this ever since. I just hope he has 100% new (and funny) stuff for this new tour as I think he has to now win back many fans...
Pandora (06/12/2009 at 11:59)
Esso Blue, In Association with prometheus, Manchester (06/12/2009 at 16:20)
C.O. Jones (06/12/2009 at 17:06)
He does not deserve or need the publicity you appear to be continually pushing at the public.
In the real world nobody cares who got a ticket or not, where he is playing, when he is playing and any other tripe that you keep pushing out..
The Peter Kay retirement fund will be full to the brim after this little cash cow has ran its course. He is so down to earth isn't he (chinny reckon)...
Robert Tocker (06/12/2009 at 19:29)
Michael Frontzek's slippers, Stockport (06/12/2009 at 19:33)
Same tired routine told in his Bolton twang much to to mirth of people who think Les Dennis was a great impersonator and that Bob Dylan is amazing!
I kid you not.
TheRealWorld (07/12/2009 at 10:26)
They aren't the kind of people who you would find in a small comedy club or attending Edinburgh Festival. They couldn't recall any particualr Blackadder episode, tell you who was in Not The Nine O'clock News or appreciate Bill Hicks.
What I see is that they are easily pleased and easily part with their money. You don't have to think too much with Peter Kay, probably because you have heard it all before. He just recalls how thick northerners are and what we do on holidays or at weddings.
No one can tell me that X factor rip off thing was funny. It wasn't. It was the most cringeworthy piece of television I have ever watched. I do not know why I watched it.
Please read the reviews for his Special Kay dvd on Amazon - from his fans. Who, other releases a dvd of him in clips from parkinson and tv adverts and charges his "fans" fifteen quid?
Money, money, money. Have you read a good word about him from anyone who knows him or has worked with hime?
Last bit of good he did was Phoenix Nights and he didn't even write it!
Save your money, here's what Peter will talk about in his show...
- 80's TV (Catchphrase/Bullseye/Love Boat etc) and how you used to watch it on a Sunday afternoon
- Somebody being an idiot at a wedding / party
- Toys you had when you were a kid (He'll name one you haven't heard of for ages and all the crowd will gasp and say "God, do you remember them")
- Holidays (with a silly destination name where no one goes anymore like Torremolinos)
- Stuff your mum and dad used to say (big light/readers/t'egypt)
I'm falling apart here just typing it, must stop!
Gary SK13- , Glossop SK13 (07/12/2009 at 13:18)
SouthportBlue, Southport (07/12/2009 at 13:28)
Phoenix Nights was very innovative and clever but I've never understood the appeal of Kay's "what it were like in my day" stand-up humour. Many thousands of expectant people could be in for a huge disappointment whilst Kay laughs all the way to the bank (yet again).
TheRealWorld (07/12/2009 at 13:35)
Pandora (07/12/2009 at 14:33)
Chris Shelmerdine , Hulme. (07/12/2009 at 16:18)
Gary SK13- , Glossop SK13 (07/12/2009 at 16:32)
Quentin Turpentine, The Loo (07/12/2009 at 16:35)
TheRealWorld (07/12/2009 at 20:21)
But it hasn't changed since, none of it, all the same. Same stand up show released on 3 DVD's! Same jokes, same blue shirt, same ballooon, different date and stage. Scandalous.
No other comedian has ever done this. Ever. It is taking advantage of his fans - you who are defending him.
Wake up and smell the coffee.
He sold 20 nights on the back of them being the only nights he would be doing. People from as far as Cornwall, Brighton and even Ireland buying tickets on the basis of this. Some as much as £150 for a official VIP package - Then with that money in the bank - another 400,000 go on sale for the tour that was never to tour!
Come on, if a family member treated you so poorly you would never speak to them again.
Garlic Bread!
Phone, for you!
Want a brew?
T'Egypt!
Comedy genius.
sugar n spice, manchester (07/12/2009 at 23:41)
TheRealWorld (08/12/2009 at 07:56)
We'll just have to agree that you either love him or hate him. I know which side of the fence I am on!
Garlic Bread!
Don't forget your "cup o' tea" T-shirt for the gig - they'll be rolling in the isles.
TheRealWorld (08/12/2009 at 08:13)
"Brew?"
forget the "Cup o' tea?" T -shirt. Where did I get that from?