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Lisa Riley shares pictures with Peter Kay following heckler controversy
Danny Jones
Lisa Riley has dispelled any lingering suggestions of a rift between her and Peter Kay following a recent heckler exchange after sharing a series of snaps from his recent stand-up show.
The Bury-born actor, comedian and presenter was the subject of a rebuttal from the legendary British comic during his response to a heckler at one of his shows here in Manchester last month.
Riley, 48, assured at the time that she wasn’t upset by the comment and urged people to simply “keep calm and laugh” and despite others continuing to be offended on her behalf, she insisted she loves the Bolton funny man “to pieces”.
Since then, she’s come to his defence on more than one occasion and after attending his live stand-up show at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, she made it clear still as good a pair of friends as ever.
Thanking the 51-year-old for an “absolutely hilarious” show, insisting “we laughed until it hurt”, she said that her family and friends stayed up until “reciting all the jokes”.
In a world, she described the show as “outstanding” and proclaimed it as “Northern at its absolute best.” High praise, indeed, even if it is from one Greater Manchester local to another and entertainment colleagues who know and love each other.
For anyone not clued up on the whole story to begin with, Kay caused a stir amongst some of his fans and the UK comedy crowd after he ejected two members of the audience back in February.
A man was escorted out of the AO Arena for repeatedly shouting his age-old stand-up catchphrase ‘garlic bread’ throughout the gig, another woman used the lapse in the set to shout ‘We love you, Peter!”, which resulted in her also being kicked out of the venue.
An admittedly unfortunate turn set of circumstances given the contrast between the nature of the two outbursts and regardless, the woman in question, Myar Curran, says she was made to feel uncomfortable and believes he was remarking on her weight – something she is already self-conscious about.
In her first TV interview, Myar Curran has told Good Morning Britain, she feels 'humiliated' after she was allegedly kicked out of the comedian Peter Kay's gig on Saturday.@LizSummers has more. pic.twitter.com/HtlHdn39dK
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 14, 2025
The MailOnline reported at the time that after asking security to remove her on the night, Kay said: “Go on, you’ve missed the ending and everything, what a shame with your f***ing big gob drinking de-icer. Out you go. Go on, Lisa Riley, f*** off. Go on. Out you pop, flower – go on. See ya’.”
In response to the controversy, Kay made a rare public statement explaining his perspective on the incident, staying simply (also to GMB): “I didn’t realise it was an insult. She did look remarkably like Lisa Riley. I didn’t realise that was an insult.”
What do you make of the whole situation; did any of the parties overreact? Does shouting a quick word of support during a break count as a heckle and was it harsh for Peter Kay to kick her out?
Read more:
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Featured Images — Lisa Jane Riley (via Instagram)
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Up to 7,000 new homes and a ‘major’ new urban park planned for Strangeways regeneration
Emily Sergeant
Up to 7,000 new homes and a major new urban park are just some of the things proposed for the Strangeways regeneration scheme.
Both Manchester City Council and Salford City Council will be working in collaboration on the ambitious long-term regeneration for the Strangeways and Cambridge areas of the region, and the draft proposals have now been unveiled, outlining the vision that will ‘guide wide-scale investment and development’ across the 130-hectare location over the coming decades.
The draft Strangeways and Cambridge proposals present a ‘high-level vision’ for the area, according to the two Councils.
The plans include up to 7,000 new homes across seven distinct ‘neighbourhood’ areas, many of which will be ‘affordable’, increased commercial floorspace of around 1.75m sqft creating 4,500 jobs, a major new urban park.
The proposals support Manchester’s target to become a zero-carbon city by 2038 and reacts to other environmental factors in the areas.
We are working closely with @SalfordCouncil around the ambitious long term vision for Strangeways and Cambridge.
— Manchester City Council (@ManCityCouncil) March 6, 2025
A public consultation will open soon about the long-term plan for these neighbourhoods.
Find out more: https://t.co/zeEPD3bAuV pic.twitter.com/ris18iQSNQ
Crucially, the Councils say the proposals also reflect how HM Prison Manchester – formerly Strangeways Prison – remains a ‘significant barrier to the regeneration ambitions in this part of the city and how they will work with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) around the ‘long-term future’ of the prison.
A ‘people first’ approach to the regeneration will be prioritised, while the existing architecture and heritage buildings in the area will be celebrated.
“We know this area has challenges, but we also know that there is energy and a community brimming with potential,” commented Bev Craig, who is the leader of Manchester City Council.
“We will deliver huge change in Strangeways in the coming years, working alongside the people who live and work there, and as we move to consultation in the coming weeks, we want to speak to local people and businesses about how we can make this part of the city thrive.”
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett, added: “The proposals in the framework seek to identify the best possible options for this area, which include the exciting opportunity to create a new city park for all, with an option for appropriate levels of mixed-use development, to continue to drive sustainable growth.
“I’d urge everyone with a vested interest in this area, whether you’re a resident or business to engage with the consultation process and work with us help shape the future of this part of the city.”
In order to discuss the proposals, Salford Council’s Cabinet will meet on Tuesday 11 March and Manchester’s executives will meet on Friday 14 March.
Read more:
- First look at major new multi-million pound Rochdale housing scheme with 200+ homes
- Property experts reveal when the best time of year to sell your home is
- Greater Manchester town named ‘property hotspot’ after prices jump nearly 10% last year
Following approvals from the respective Councils, public consultations will then begin at the end of March.
Featured Image – MCC & SCC