Peter Kay joked that he'll "go away for four more years" after he received a standing ovation at the start of his first gig in three years on Saturday (07.08.21).
Peter Kay
The 48-year-old comedian made his comeback at Manchester's O2 Apollo for the first of two charity Q&A shows to raise money for Laura Nuttall, who is battling terminal brain cancer, and he was blown away by the crowd's raucous response to his return.
He said: "I've never in my life had a standing ovation when I came on."
Before he quipped: "I'm going to go away for four more years."
Laura was in attendance and the comic was introduced on stage by her sister Gracie, who said they were "eternally grateful" for them "potentially saving my sister's life".
Peter admitted at the matinee: "I was a bit nervous this morning when I got here.
"I was looking at all this and thinking 'oh my God' but it's really nice to be doing this.
He then joked: "It's like getting in a hot bath."
Laura - who has been battling the disease for three years - is trying to raise £80,000 for treatment, which she can't get through the NHS.
Elsewhere during the Q&A, the funnyman was asked whether or not there will be any more episodes of 'Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere', his sitcom with fellow Bolton comic Paddy McGuinness, and he didn't rule it out.
He replied: "I loved making 'Max And Paddy', it was one of the best times we ever had filming and we had such a good laugh.
"We actually wrote two Christmas specials and then we never made them so you never know."
Peter's last appearance on stage was at a 'Car Share' screening in 2018, which came after plans for his huge 'Have Gags, Will Travel' UK tour were scrapped.
In December 2017, he said in a statement: "Due to unforeseen family circumstances, I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects.
"This unfortunately includes my upcoming stand-up tour, Dance for Life shows and any outstanding live work commitments.
"My sincerest apologies. This decision has not been taken lightly and I'm sure you'll understand my family must always come first.
"I've always endeavoured to protect my family's privacy from the media.
"I hope that the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time. Once again, I'm very sorry."
He largely took a step back from the public eye, although he briefly returned to TV last year when he shared an updated version of '(Is This The Way To) Amarillo' from his own garden.
Also in 2020, he was forced to postpone his much-anticipated Dance For Life comeback events due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Announcing the news in March, he said: "Obviously this is disappointing news but well and truly justified given the circumstances.
"We'll get through this, together and then we'll all have a great big dance for life. Stay safe and look after yourselves and the people around you."
The popular comedian had originally planned to stage six shows in Liverpool, London and Manchester in April and May this year.
The dance-a-thon events were being organised in aid of Cancer Research UK and would have been his first live performances since he cancelled his stand-up tour.
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