Peter Kay makes surprise return at charity screening of Car Share finale

It's the comedian's first public appearance since cancelling his tour last December

Peter Kay surprised fans by making a rare public appearance at a charity screening of his comedy series Car Share.

The comedian, who cancelled his live tour due to “unforeseen family circumstances” in December, graced the stage at the Blackpool Opera House on Saturday evening for an event held to raise money for The Lily Foundation.

In footage of his brief appearance, captured and later posted on Twitter, he said: “Thank you very much for supporting the Lily Foundation raising money for mitochondrial disease. Very kind of you. I appreciate it. Enjoy the last ever episode of Car Share. Don’t tell anyone the end. Or tell anyone about any hedgehogs.”

He added: “So thank you. Lots of love, enjoy, take care, bye-bye” to applause from the crowd.

Kay announced three charity screenings of his popular BBC comedy programme last month, two of which are special finales to the series – which ended on a cliffhanger in 2017 – as well as an entirely improvised episode.

The comic received a rapturous reception with one reveller, Alison Moore, saying: “People were shouting out that they loved him, some stood up to clap. He just said a few words for a couple of minutes, it was really good to see him.

“He seemed really fine, relaxed and genuinely touched by the reaction he got. He’s held in such high regard up this way. It was just really good to see him.”

Fans lucky enough to see the episode are branding the unscripted Car Share episode as “pure genius”. Kay stars in the Bafta-winning comedy series alongside Sian Gibson.

This marks the 44-year-old comedian’s first appearance since cancelling his live tour in December which he did due to “unforeseen family circumstances”. He wrote at the time: “This decision has not been taken lightly and I’m sure you’ll understand my family must always come first.”

Kay has described The Lily Foundation as “an inspiring charity” that helps to improve the lives of children with mitochondrial disease.

Additional reporting by agencies

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook