Peter Kay has announced that he is to play two huge Manchester shows as he makes a return to live comedy on his first stand-up tour in 12 years.
This is not a drill.
It’s fair to say this has been a very long time coming, and it’s been heavily rumoured for many years on end now, but it’s finally a reality – Peter Kay is heading out on a stand-up tour of the UK for the first time in over a decade, and it’s happening much sooner than we were all probably expecting too.
Reports began circulating earlier this year that the legendary Bolton-born comedian and actor could finally be making his long-awaited return with a huge “comeback tour” in 2023, but it’s now been announced that the 49-year-old will be doing two massive shows at the AO Arena on Friday 2 & Saturday 3 December 2022.
He will then head on over to Birmingham for a huge show at the Birmingham Utilita Arena on Saturday 17 December 2022, before making his way across the rest of the UK and Ireland in 2023.
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Peter Kay announces his first new live stand-up tour in 12 years!
After Kay was forced to cancel his last stand-up arena tour – which had sold out across all 100 scheduled gigs – back in 2017 due to what were said to be “unforeseen family circumstances”, he has largely remained out of the spotlight since and has left many fans questioning when he would be stepping on the stage again.
He had made a few notable stage appearances in recent years, including two Q&A sessions for the Doing it for Laura charity back in August – which were fundraisers organised for University of Manchester student Laura Nuttall, who was diagnosed with aggressive brain cancer glioblastoma multiforme in October 2018.
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In recent months, Kay had also taken to the stage for his hugely-successful ‘Dance For Life’ tour – which raises money for Cancer Research UK.
But now, the star of Phoenix Nights, Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere, and Peter Kay’s Car Share is officially back doing what he does best, and heading out on tour and gearing up to entertain over 1.2 million people.
Peter Kay Live 2022/23 Tour Dates / Credit: Supplied
Kay’s 2010 tour still officially ranks with the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest selling comedy tour of all time.
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“It’s good to get back to what I love doing best,” Kay said ahead of his return.
“If there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now. And with the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35, which is the same price they were on my previous tour in 2010.”
Tickets for Peter Kay’s nationwide tour start from £35, and will officially go on sale on Saturday 12 November at 10am.
Friday 2 December 2022 Manchester AO Arena Saturday 3 December 2022 Manchester AO Arena Saturday 17 December 2022 Birmingham Utilita Arena
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Friday 6 January 2023 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena Saturday 7 January 2023 Liverpool M&S Bank Arena Friday 20 January 2023 Leeds First Direct Arena Friday 17 February 2023 Sheffield Utilita Arena Thursday 23 February 2023 Belfast SSE Arena Friday 24 February 2023 Belfast SSE Arena Thursday 9 March 2023 Newcastle Utilita Arena Friday 10 March 2023 Newcastle Utilita Arena Thursday 23 March 2023 Birmingham Resorts World Arena Thursday 6 April 2023 Dublin 3Arena Friday 7 April 2023 Dublin 3Arena Friday 05 May 2023 Glasgow OVO Hydro Saturday 06 May 2023 Glasgow OVO Hydro Friday 19 May 2023 Leeds First Direct Arena Friday 16 June 2023 Cardiff International Arena Saturday 17 June 2023 Cardiff International Arena Friday 14 July 2023 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena Saturday 15 July 2023 Nottingham Motorpoint Arena Friday 11 August 2023 Sheffield Utilita Arena
Featured Image – BBC
News
GMP officer sentenced after hitting pedestrian during police chase in Rochdale
Emily Sergeant
A police officer has been sentenced this week after he struck and ‘seriously injured’ a pedestrian following a pursuit of a suspected drink driver in Rochdale.
35-year-old Greater Manchester Police (GMP) officer PC Sam Lockley pleaded guilty back in January 2026 following an Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigation.
The IOPC investigation established that, in the early hours of the morning on 19 November 2023, PC Lockley was driving a marked police vehicle with the lights and sirens activated, and attempted to stop a suspected drunk driver on Drake Street in Rochdale.
A short pursuit that commenced but stopped merely a minute later after the police vehicle collided with a pedestrian on the footpath of Rochdale Road at approximately 3:30am.
The evidence gathered indicated that PC Lockley failed to slow down as he approached and drove through the red traffic lights at the Kingsway junction, and was travelling at a speed of 96mph in a 30mph zone.
The pedestrian suffered ‘serious injuries’ as a result of the collision, and received extensive medical treatment following.
At a hearing back in February of this year, PC Lockley received a two-year suspended sentence and was ordered to carry out 15 days community service, while also receiving two-year driving disqualification.
Also following the investigation, the IOPC decided that Lockley should face a gross misconduct hearing to face allegations that his manner of driving breached the police standards of professional behaviour.
“We continue to liaise with the force about disciplinary proceedings,” the IOPC concluded.
IOPC Director Amanda Rowe added: “My sympathies remain with the man, who sustained serious injuries, and all those affected by the incident.
“This was a complex investigation which relied on extensive amounts of data and expert analysis and the evidence showed PC Lockley drove at excessive speeds at night-time and although he was responding to a report of a suspected drink driver, it does not excuse his manner of driving.
“PC Lockley admitted he drove in a dangerous manner when he didn’t address hazards or warnings during the pursuit and ultimately by the time he saw the pedestrian, he was travelling too fast to avoid a collision.
“His actions that day have had long-lasting consequences and he has now been held accountable.”
Featured Image – Rawpixel
News
Manchester Town Hall is FINALLY taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018
Emily Sergeant
A new era is on the horizon, as Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’ll be finally taking bookings for weddings and events once again.
That’s right… for the first time since it closed its doors to the public for what is the UK’s biggest restoration project to date back in 2018, one of Manchester’s most iconic landmarks is soon set to welcome its first weddings and events in a decade – with bookings for the city’s most romantic address now open once again.
Manchester Town Hall has stood at the centre of civic life in the city since 1877, and for generations, couples have exchanged their vows within its walls.
Now, as it enters the home stretch of its restoration, the Grade I-listed building is gearing up to kickstart weddings and corporate events from January 2028.
Set reopen to the public next year, first up will be a series of celebratory reopening events – which are yet to be announced – before a phased approach will then allow the building and teams to be fully prepared to host commercial events again from 2028.
Manchester Town Hall has announced that it’s finally taking wedding and events bookings for the first time since 2018 / Credit: Supplied
From its grand architecture and soaring stained glass windows, to sweeping staircases that offer the perfect ‘just married’ photo opportunities, this one-of-a-kind venue gives couples the opportunity to combine the romance and grandeur of a historic setting with the energy of a city centre celebration.
Inside the restored building, you’ll find The Great Hall, which is a magnificent setting with striking architectural character, as well as The Conference Hall, The Banqueting Hall, and The Reception Room, all of which offer equally characterful spaces that are perfect for private dinners, ceremonies, or corporate events.
The Lord Mayor’s Parlour is one of many settings overlooking the newly reopened Albert Square, while various elegant reception areas provide the perfect location for drinks and arrival moments.
“Our Town Hall is a real Victorian masterpiece and we’re looking forward to sharing it with the public once again,” explained Cllr Garry Bridges, who is Leader of Manchester City Council, as bookings finally open up this week.
“It’s a special building which belongs to the people and it’s great that they will be able to celebrate important landmarks in their lives, such as marriage, in its spectacular setting.
“The Town Hall is full of history. Here’s to many more stories being written within its walls.”
Want to be one of the first people who gets married or hosts an event at Manchester Town Hall once it reopens in 2028? You can enquire about booking here.
Emily Sergeant -
6th November 2022 
