TV & Showbiz

Lisa Riley shares pictures with Peter Kay following heckler controversy

No feuding to be found here.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 10th March 2025

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”.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

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’.”

ADVERTISEMENT

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:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Lisa Jane Riley (via Instagram)

TV & Showbiz

Swordplay and rock ‘n’ roll: A Knight’s Tale comes to Manchester Opera House

Danny Jones Danny Jones A Knight's Tale Manchester musical review

From the moment the curtain rises at Manchester Opera House, A Knight’s Tale bursts into life with exhilarating energy. This stage adaptation of the beloved 2001 film expertly blends medieval spectacle with a bold, modern twist.

Full of jousting tournaments, noble quests, and underdog triumphs, the production delivers both heart and high drama – all with a heady dose of rock ‘n’ roll.

At the centre of it all is William Thatcher, a young squire who dares to defy his lowly birth and enter the world of high-born knights. Played with charm and confidence by Andrew Coshan, William’s journey from peasant to jousting champion is rousing, if occasionally veering into heroic cliché.

Still, Coshan’s likability and natural charisma keep the audience cheering for him through every lance charge and dramatic monologue. The supporting cast also shines.

A Knight’s Tale the musical at Manchester Opera House. (Credit: Press Shot)

A standout is Eva Scott, whose comic timing and delivery consistently land laughs, often stealing scenes with her sharp one-liners.

Meanwhile, Meesha Turner brings elegance and spark to the role of Princess Jocelyn. Her powerful vocals during the show’s pop-classic ballads transform the character into a fiery, modern princess you can’t help but root for.

The production’s standout sequences are undoubtedly the jousts, theatrical set pieces that are an absolute masterclass in stagecraft. Using a clever combination of rigging, physical choreography, and dynamic sound design, the creative team conjures a truly immersive atmosphere.

Dramatic lighting and resonant sound effects make you feel the thud of hooves and the crash of lances. The cleverly designed set, featuring an arena-style jousting field, draws the audience into the action in a way that feels fresh and cinematic.

However, the show stumbles slightly in its quieter, more emotional scenes. The dialogue, while laced with humour, sometimes dips into melodrama. The villain, Count Adhemar, feels a touch underwritten, with motivations that don’t quite match the emotional weight the story strives for, but is still well-acted.

Don’t just take it from us: the A Knight’s Tale reviews from Manchester crowds are already very strong.

The stakes between him and William never fully build to the payoff they could – leaving certain dramatic beats a little flat. Musically, the show makes a bold departure from traditional scores. Instead, it leans into a soundtrack of classic rock anthems; think Queen, AC/DC, The Who and more.

At first, it seems like an odd match for a medieval tale, just as it did with the movie, but it works brilliantly. The music injects the show with rebellious energy and gives it a timeless quality. It’s loud, bold, and exactly what this high-octane tale of ambition and identity calls for.

A special mention must go to the ensemble and choreography. The jousting scenes are beautifully choreographed, blending acrobatics, dance, and swordplay with seamless precision. Even in quieter moments, the movement on stage supports the storytelling with subtle grace.

But the unexpected stars of the show? The horses. Designed with clever costume and movement illusions, they create the convincing effect of riders in full gallop – and at times, they very nearly steal the spotlight altogether.

Credit: Supplied

Though clearly aimed at adult audiences, with its cheeky humour and classic rock soundtrack, the show flirts with the spirit of panto, oversized characters, regional accents, and exaggerated physical comedy. And it works.

The regional dialects add warmth and levity, grounding the fantasy in a cheeky, very British sensibility.
In the end, A Knight’s Tale is a triumphant and entertaining spectacle, an electrifying mix of medieval mythology and modern musical theatre.

Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the original film or seeing the story for the first time, this production offers a fun, fast-paced, and surprisingly heartfelt night out. It’s not perfect, but it’s hard not to be swept up in the clashing swords, galloping hooves, and power chords.

Put simply, this is a knight to remember – with a soundtrack that slays.

Read more:

For all the latest news, events and goings on in Greater Manchester, subscribe to The Manc newsletter HERE.

Featured Images — Press Images (supplied)

TV & Showbiz

Eurovision 2025 final to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Eurovision 2025 stage

The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest is to be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester next month.

Following the success of the previous two years, initially starting back when the internationally renowned televised event was held on British soil in Liverpool in 2023, cinemas up and down the UK are, once again, set to come together to celebrate 2025’s edition of the major night in the music calendar by hosting the ultimate viewing events.

The epic Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final on Saturday 17 May will be broadcast live on BBC One, and streamed into more than 100 cinemas nationwide – including several in Greater Manchester.

Distributed by CinemaLive, the live stream events will allow Eurovision fans to gather under one roof and share in the unbeatable experience of celebrating the brightest and boldest music party of the year on the big screen.

People in the cinema
The Eurovision 2025 final will be screened live in cinemas across Greater Manchester / Credit: CinemaLive | Krists Luhaers (via Unsplash)

You may remember that Switzerland is hosting Eurovision this year, following the nation’s well-deserved victory at the 2024 contest with the song ‘The Code’ performed by Nemo.

But thanks to these live stream events, you won’t need to make the trip to Basel to get in on the action, as you’ll just need to nip down to your nearest participating cinema instead.

Not only will the long-awaited final of the show be streamed live onto the big screen in 5.1 surround sound, but fans are invited to bring their Eurovision parties from the front room to the cinema instead, as organisers say fancy dress is ‘heavily encouraged’, as are enthusiastic sing-alongs too.

Speaking ahead of the event next month, John Travers from distributors CinemaLive, said: “We’re delighted to be working with the BBC to bring Eurovision’s grand final live into cinemas across the UK for the third year in a row.

“There’s simply no better way to enjoy the biggest night in music than in a cinema.”

Read more:

Tickets are now live and available to book at your local cinema here.

Some of the participating Greater Manchester cinemas include Vue Manchester Printworks, Everymans in Manchester city centre and Altrincham, The Light in Stockport, and Cineworld in Didsbury, among others.

Featured Image – EBU

More TV & Showbiz

Art & Culture

A charity auction is selling memorabilia from the ACTUAL Peaky Blinders set

Audio

You can get FREE tickets to watch The Voice UK in Manchester

Noel Liam and Gallagher kids Easter reunion

Audio

Liam and Noel spent a wholesome Gallagher Easter together for the first time in years

Audio

Clint Boon takes us around Manchester's iconic Deaf Institute

Eats

We go meatballs deep with Mira's traditional Neapolitan sandwiches