Peter Kay’s stage return has been praised by the mother of the cancer patient whose cause brought him back to the stage.
Kay performed two shows at Manchester’s O2 Apollo on Saturday to raise money for 21-year-old Laura Nuttall, who has glioblastoma multiforme – an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Miss Nuttall, who was in the audience, was diagnosed in October 2018 after suffering headaches while studying at King’s College London.
She was 18 at the time and a brain scan showed six tumours.
Thanks to fundraising, she has received immunotherapy treatment in Germany.
Advertisement
Her mother, Nicola, said that after the “amazing day” the family learnt that a friend of her daughter’s – who had the same diagnosis – had died.
She said: “It has really brought home to us that this has all been great, but at the end of the day this is still a terminal diagnosis.
More on Peter Kay
“It has been a really happy weekend and this has just come round and smacked us on the back of the head.”
Talking about the Peter Kay gigs, she added: “It was so nice to be with all those laughing people having a good time.
“It was like he had never been away.
“Laura was looking so well and she really enjoyed it. The whole thing was brilliant for all of us as a family.”
The shows were arranged in about three weeks after Ms Nuttall got in touch with the comedian, who she met while working at Granada Television, to ask if he would do a 10-minute charity set.
Instead, he contacted the Apollo and asked if it had any dates free.
The family has not yet counted the final total from the show, but revealed they raised £5,000 from t-shirt sales alone.
They said brain tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other cancer but receive less than 3% of the funding given to other cancers – something they are fighting to change.
Co-op Live’s general manager, Gary Roden, resigned yesterday following a series of problems and delays at the new venue.
Kay wrote: “To everybody with tickets, my apologies once again… I know I can’t believe it either.”
He added: “It’s very disappointing but your safety is important and I won’t compromise that.”
X
This content is provided by X, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable X cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to X cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow X cookies for this session only.
The £365 million arena’s general manager announced his resignation after a slew of issues led to a delay in the opening of what will be the UK’s biggest indoor arena.
More from UK
In an X/Twitter post today, comedian Kay apologised to fans for the cancellations.
The 50-year-old Phoenix Nights star wrote: “To everybody with tickets, my apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-op Live still isn’t ready and so, as yet, remains untested for a large-scale audience.
Advertisement
“Consequently, they are having to reschedule my two shows yet again (I know I can’t believe it either).”
Today it also emerged that The Black Keys gigs due to be at the venue this month have also been pushed back.
Headaches for Co-op Arena became patently clear after capacity for a test event last Saturday was reduced with just hours’ notice.
The arena announced on Monday that Kay’s performances would instead take place on 29 and 30 April, with Kay saying he was “truly gutted” by the delay but the comedy gigs will now move to 23 and 24 May 23.
He wrote: “Tickets will be transferred, or refunds given if the new dates aren’t suitable. It’s very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won’t compromise that.”
In a post on X/Twitter, Co-Op Live Arena said: “Since making the difficult decision to postpone the live shows at Co- op Live due to take place this week, we have been undertaking an extensive protocol of testing critical procedures to ensure all areas are ready for fans.
“To ensure that we can run all shows safely, regretfully we have now had to take the decision to reschedule the planned The Black Keys and Peter Kay shows.”
The US rock band will now play at the venue on 15 May.
A spokesperson for the venue posted: “Rescheduling Peter Kay and The Black Keys will give us the extra time we need to continue testing enhanced emergency communications thoroughly.
“This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size to ensure that our fans, artists and staff have the safest experience possible.”
Over the weekend, a preview concert starring Rick Astley was also hit by delays, with ticket capacity slashed just hours before his gig was due to begin.
Astley fans who had their tickets cancelled have instead been offered seats to see US rock band the Black Keys play next week – but now that show has been cancelled.
Organisers said one problem in particular related to the power supply that was the cause of the cancellation.
A spokesperson said: “It is critical to ensure we have a consistent total power supply to our fully electric sustainable venue, the completion of which is a few days behind.
“Rescheduling gives us the extra time we need to continue testing thoroughly. This is vital to satisfy the rigorous set of guidelines and protocols that are necessary for a venue of this size.”
Once fully open, the arena next to Manchester City’s ground will have a capacity of 23,500, overtaking the size of the existing Manchester Arena which can hold 21,000 spectators.
Built at an estimated cost of £365m, the arena counts former One Direction singer Harry Styles as one of its investors, with the pop star also advising on some elements of the arena’s design.
Peter Kay has been on a comeback tour since December, appearing in Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham – his first tour since 2010.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow @SkyNews on X or subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
Jack Whitehall says he’s been the victim of “outrageous shading” after the Prince of Wales described his jokes as “dad-like”.
The next in line to the throne was asked by a group of school kids to tell a “dad joke” – and responded by saying he was “channelling” the 35-year-old comedian.
On X, Whitehall quipped: “There goes my knighthood.”
X
This content is provided by X, which may be using cookies and other technologies.
To show you this content, we need your permission to use cookies.
You can use the buttons below to amend your preferences to enable X cookies or to allow those cookies just once.
You can change your settings at any time via the Privacy Options.
Unfortunately we have been unable to verify if you have consented to X cookies.
To view this content you can use the button below to allow X cookies for this session only.
In a light-hearted, split-screen video, Whitehall reacted to the prince’s comments – but flattery after being name dropped turned to mock offence after William critiqued his jokes.
During the trip, William was asked to join children from St Michael’s Church of England School in Sandwell for the “dad joke” segment of their radio show.
More from Ents & Arts
He said: “I’m trying to channel Jack Whitehall, because most of his jokes are pretty dad-like.
“I think what I’ll do is I’ll say a joke which is Charlotte’s favourite joke at the moment, she keeps telling me.”
Advertisement
The royal began with “knock knock” – and when pupils replied “who’s there”, William said “interrupting cow”.
As the kids tried to ask “interrupting cow who?” he made them laugh by saying “moooooo” before they could finish the sentence.
Whitehall shook his head with disapproval while listening to the joke – but then picked up a notebook and scribbled it down, as if he planned to use it in a future set.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
2:03
Prince William surprises student
Whitehall – who welcomed his first child with his partner Roxy Horner last year – has written a Netflix special called Settle Down about becoming a father.
He is known for his sarcastic and self-deprecating stand-up comedy, starring in the sitcom Bad Education, and his long-running travel show with his father Michael.
Former Home and Away star Orpheus Pledger has been arrested following a three-day police manhunt for the actor, according to Australian media reports.
The 30-year-old was due to appear at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Tuesday accused of assaulting a woman, Sky News Australia said.
The actor had been granted bail on Monday for a court-ordered hospital assessment and had been ordered to return to court the next day.
When he failed to show up – Victoria Police issued a warrant for his arrest and asked the public to help find him.
On Thursday night, Victoria Police confirmed Pledger had been found and arrested, ABC News and Sky News Australia reported.
He is facing four assault charges for allegedly assaulting a woman.
Pledger’s manager Craig McMahon told the Sydney Morning Herald he had not been in contact with his client this week but that he had been shocked by the assault allegations.