Peter’s a joy missed by fans, says Parky
TV legend Michael Parkinson says he is mystified by the absence of Peter Kay from our screens since 2018 and wishes he would return.
The ex-chat show king believes his pal’s vanishing act has left a big hole in the entertainment world.
Sir Michael, 86, who had Peter as his warm-up man back in the 1990s before the funnyman hit the big time, said: “Peter is wonderful. He is just a gifted young comic. I don’t know why he disappeared but he is sadly missed. He is a great stand-up and a very good writer.
“He is a good actor as well. Peter was a joy to work with.”
The Bolton-born entertainer, 48, was seen briefly on BBC’s charity Big Night In, introducing a revamped old clip in April last year.
However he has not been seen working on screen since 2018, when his award-winning comedy series Car Share ended.
In August, Kay hinted in a charity Q&A that he could bring back Car
Share, with co-star Sian Gibson, for another series. He said: “Of all the things I’ve ever done, that’s my favourite of all. I love being with Sian and we had a good laugh.”
Earlier this week Peter was also seen in a rare public appearance.
He posed for a photo with broadcasters Danny Baker and Bob Harris following his four-year hiatus from the spotlight.
The duo looked delighted to see their friend, who’d gone to watch the first night of their Backstage
Pass tour at The Lowry Theatre in Salford. Peter took an unexplained break from performing live more than four years ago citing “unforeseen family circumstances”.
Fans were shocked when he cancelled his last 14-month standup tour in December 2017, but were delighted to see him looking so happy in the latest picture.
Peter and Danny are long-term friends and Kay played Danny’s dad Spud in the BBC sitcom Cradle to the Grave in 2015. The funnyman did return to the stage briefly in August for two charity events to raise money for Laura Nuttall, 20, who has brain cancer. The star worked with Laura’s parents at Granada Television 20 years ago.
Overcome by fans’ rapturous response to the Q&A shows which contained new gags, Peter said: “I’ve never in my life had a standing ovation when I came on,” before joking: “I’m going to go away for four more years”.
Sir Michael spoke of his friend Peter as part of a new UK Tour show where he appears on stage in conversation with his son Mike.
The chat-show stalwart said older people were not given enough slots on chat shows these days.
Parky added: “Television has changed and it changed in the 60 years I was there.
“And I had the best of it. I was lucky as I had a very good period.
“I loved interviewing old people because they have treasure troves of memories locked away.
“Often people don’t ask and they say ‘Old people are boring’.”