To introduce new episodes of Car Share

Peter Kay has surprised fans by appearing on stage for the first time since cancelling his mammoth stand-up tour.

The comedian welcomed almost 3,000 fans to a charity screening of Car Share at  Blackpool Opera House, tonight.

He thanked the audience for coming and supporting Car Share, and adding: ‘Thanks for supporting the Lily Foundation, a charity that means so much to me.’

Fantastic Seeing @peterkay_co_uk tonight for the finale of Car Share! So lovely to see him in person #laughedsomuch #comedygenius #fantastic pic.twitter.com/K6zYTaNTOC

— Carla Seath (@carlahostie) April 7, 2018

The screenings were in aid of the organisation which works  to improve the lives of children with Mitochondrial Disease, and Kay has spoken about having ‘first-hand experience’ of their work.

The event involved the screening of four episodes, including two yet to make it to TV. Fans who attended  have praised the shows as ‘great’ and ‘amazing’.

A series finale reveals what happens to the will-they-wont-they relationship with John and Kayleigh; while a second standalone episode was improvised by Kay and co-star Sian Gibson. Both will air on BBC One next month.

Kay, 44, had been due to start his first tour in eight years this month. But in December announced that he was pulling out of all work commitments ‘due to unforeseen family circumstances’, adding: ‘My family must always come first.’

He urged the media and the public to respect his privacy – and since then he has maintained a silence, except to announce the three Car Share screenings this weekend.

Published: 8 Apr 2018