After a four-year hiatus comedian Peter Kay is returning to the stage in a gig which has sold out in 30 minutes.
The Bolton-born star, who took an impromptu break from performing, will host two live Q&As in aid of Laura Nuttall, 20, who has an aggressive form of brain cancer.
The two shows, called Doing It For Laura, will take place at the O2 Apollo Manchester on August 7 and fans not quick enough to snap up a ticket have been told to join the waiting list.
While some got lucky, other fans took to Twitter to vent about the missed opportunity.
"No tickets anywhere! Not fair. I have been refreshing my screen for ages. Peter more concerts please!" demanded one.
"Peter... whats going on? So disappointed couldn't get your tickets as all sold out. Said to the husband I would get those tickets for our anniversary," fumed another.
"Sat in the queue all morning to not get tickets," raged a third.
While other who missed out tweeted that they hoped the tickets had gone to genuine fans not 'ticket bots' to be later sold on eBay for a hefty price.
After cancelling his last tour in 2017, Peter shocked fans by announcing a series of come back Q&As to help Laura Nuttall after hearing of her cancer diagnosis.
Laura's parents first met Peter when they were working at Granada Television and said they received an unexpected call from the star in January 2019 after their daughter was diagnosed with cancer at 18.
Nicola Nuttall said: “We’re so excited about it. And it’s so wonderful he can do this for us, just incredible.
“She [Laura] is slightly too young to know just how amazing it is to see Peter Kay live. She’s only seen clips on YouTube, although spending a few hours in his company you are literally holding on to your face because it hurts so much from laughing.
“He’s genuinely just the funniest person imaginable. And such a kind gentleman as well.”
Peter cancelled his last tour in December 2017, citing “unforeseen family circumstances” and has been largely out of the spotlight ever since.
In 2018 he reappeared returned to social media to announce a charity special of his sitcom Peter Kay's Car Share to raise cash for The Lily Foundation, which helps children with mitochondrial disease.
Peter said he had "first hand" experience of the disease, which is a chronic illness that causes developmental and cognitive disabilities, including seizures and organ failure.
Organisers revealed Peter had raised £34,000 for the foundation from the event, and founder Liz Curtis, whose daughter Lily tragically passed away from the condition, thanked Peter for his generosity.
"We can't thank Peter and his team enough for this incredibly generous donation. For a small charity like ours this is a very significant sum," she said.
The same year The Sun reported that Peter had moved to Tipperary in Ireland, where he was rarely seen.
"Peter clearly wanted to keep a low profile and did everything he could to avoid attracting attention to himself while staying here," one local told the paper.
“You’d never see him in the local pubs or restaurants, and he always seemed to be alone. Most people only ever saw him passing through."
By January 2019, Peter was still shying away from the limelight.
When his show, Peter Kay's Car Share, won at the National Television Awards, he did not attend to collect the gong.
His co-star Sian Gibson picked it up on his behalf and told the audience - and fans watching at home- that Peter was "watching from home with a cup of tea."
Almost a year later in February 2020, Peter announced he'd be returning to touring. Again for charity, he'd be hosting six live shows in London, Manchester and and Liverpool for Cancer Research UK.
The coronavirus pandemic meant the shows were cancelled, but Peter promised a return as soon as was possible.
