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Thousands of Kay fans join scramble to see comic’s live shows
Peter Kay fans faced ticket-buying “hell” yesterday as seats for the comedian’s highly anticipated 2022-23 tour went on general sale. Earlier this week, Kay announced his return to stand-up comedy with his first live tour in 12 years. Kay, who has been largely absent from the public eye for the past four years, will embark on an arena tour beginning next month and ending in August 2023. It will be his first live tour since 2010, when he achieved the Guinness World Record for the biggest-selling
stand-up run of all time, playing to more than 1.2 million people. On Thursday, there had been huge demand for pre-sale tickets, causing the O2 priority app to crash.
Posting about trying to get tickets in the general sale yesterday, one fan wrote on social media: “It’s easier to become PM in this country than get #PeterKay tickets.” Another wrote: “Nah I’m sorry but I’ve been logged into ticket master since before 9am and somehow I’m 153,000 in the queue. HOW.” The Manchester Evening News reported that there were two million people queueing for the Manchester dates alone. Speaking about his tour announcement earlier this week, Kay said: “It’s good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy, and if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now.” He will begin his tour on 2 December at the Manchester AO Arena and end on 11 August 2023 at the Sheffield Utilita Arena.
King to give staff a cost of living payment ‘out of own pocket’
King Charles III is set to pay royal staff a one-off £600 cost of living payment, it has been reported. The monarch is set to pay “tens of thousands” of pounds in bonuses to his employees from his private income. Royal staff including cleaners, servants and footmen will receive the bonus on top of this month’s salary, The Sun reported. A source told the newspaper: “The King is giving money out of his own pocket to the lowest earners working for the household to help them cope with the cost of living crisis. It is being given on a sliding scale with those most in need and on lower wages getting the most money. It is to target where it is needed the most in the royal household and reflects the reality of the economic situation the country faces. The King is very much aware of the soaring energy bills people are facing and worried about the economic wellbeing of loyal palace staff and doing what he can.”
The Independent contacted Buckingham Palace for comment. In October the palace announced that the King’s coronation next year will be a scaled-back affair, with just 2,000 guests compared to the Queen’s 8,000 in 1952. Celebrations will also be
contained to just one day, Saturday 6 May, instead of across several days. In a statement, the palace added: “The coronation will reflect the monarch’s role today and look towards the future, while being rooted in longstanding traditions and pageantry.” A source told the Daily Mirror: “The King is very aware of the struggles felt by modern Britons so will see his wishes carried through that although his coronation ceremony should stay right and true to the long-held traditions of the past, it should also be representative of a monarchy in a modern world.”
Rape victim dragged into man’s home during ‘despicable’ attack
A man has been found guilty of repeatedly raping and beating a vulnerable woman in east London. Pascal Jombla dragged the woman, who has mobility issues, into his home in Hackney, telling her she would be killed if she did not keep quiet. Jombla raped and assaulted the woman in a sustained attack, Wood Green Crown Court heard. He eventually fell asleep and the woman was able to shout for help from the front door before a passer-by came to help and called 999. Police found the woman with facial injuries and extensive bruising to her body, the Metropolitan Police said. She also had a fracture to her lower back as a result of the attack.
DC Jean-Luc Argent said: “The victim continues to suffer the psychological effects of what was a truly despicable assault. She is a vulnerable woman who was incapable of defending herself against the callous and merciless actions of Jombla.” The investigating officer added: “He now faces a substantial amount of time behind bars, where he belongs.” Jombla, of Hackney, was convicted of six counts of rape and two counts of actual bodily harm. He will be sentenced on 30 March next year. DC Argent added: “The Met will not stand for violence against women and girls and will do everything we can to bring violent and predatory offenders to justice.”
ITV accused of ‘platforming’ I’m a Celeb contestant Walsh
Domestic abuse charity Women’s Aid has called out ITV for “platforming alleged abuser” Seann Walsh. The comedian is one of this year’s campmates on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, and arrived on the show alongside MP Matt Hancock on Wednesday night’s episode. Walsh infamously cheated on his ex-girlfriend, Rebecca Humphries, in 2018 with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Katya Jones. Humphries later accused Walsh of “gaslighting” her throughout their five-year relationship. Later appearing on The Jonathan Ross Show, Walsh said: “I think if you lie and cheat on the person that you’re meant to care for and be in a relationship with, then that is a form of abuse, of course it is. All I can be is as sorry as I am. I hope one day that she’ll forgive me.”
Women’s Aid has spoken out after Walsh talked about the cheating scandal while appearing on I’m a Celeb. “Imagine experiencing gaslighting by a partner, undergoing therapy, and then watching that person garner sympathy on national TV?” Women’s Aid tweeted. “We ask @ITV @imacelebrity to consider in their edit not platforming alleged abusers minimising their actions on screen. Solidarity with survivors.” On Thursday night’s episode, Walsh called the cheating scandal the “worst moment” of his life. “To be totally honest with you, my poor ex, my girlfriend at the time, posted a statement. My girlfriend [at the time] posted a statement and that was the end of me,” he told campmate and Coronation Street star Sue Cleaver.
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