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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
Arielle Domb

Peter Kay unrecognisable as he makes rare appearance to announce he will donate proceeds from 2026 to charity

Comedian Peter Kay made a TV appearance on BBC’s The One Show, announcing that all profits from his 2026 Better Late Than Never tour dates will go to twelve cancer charities - with fans commenting on his change in appearance.

The comic is finishing his years-long Better Late Than Never tour with arena shows in Newcastle, Nottingham, Glasgow, Dublin, Birmingham, Belfast, Liverpool, Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester and London.

Speaking to The One Show on Wednesday, he said: “It’s finishing next year, and I am announcing the last lot of shows, but all the profits are going to cancer charities.”

The charities benefitting are Children With Cancer UK, Teenage Cancer Trust, Kidney Cancer UK, Blood Cancer UK, Bowel Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer UK, DKMS UK, Ovarian Cancer Action, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Anthony Nolan, The Brain Tumour Charity and Breast Cancer UK.

Kay said: "Unfortunately, everybody knows someone who's been affected on that list, and I just hope people support it. Come to the shows. That's why I'm here."

Peter Kay looked unrecognisable on the One Show (BBC)

Kay became known for his early 2000s TV creation, Phoenix Nights, and has starred in other sitcoms including Peter Kay’s Car Share since.

On his recent announcement, Rachel Calderon, deputy director of fundraising at Blood Cancer UK, said: "It's a milestone moment to see Peter Kay on The One Show tonight, announcing plans for a final tour.

"Everyone in the blood cancer community, whether they're affected by leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma is genuinely chuffed and deeply grateful he has chosen to support Blood Cancer UK on his final tour through ticket sales.

"Every pound helps us support people facing blood cancer and will help fund lifesaving research that will get us closer to beating blood cancer within a generation."

Seren Evans, senior head of mass fundraising at Prostate Cancer UK, said: “Loads of us here at Prostate Cancer UK are huge fans of Peter Kay, so we’re really excited and grateful to be part of his final arena tour.

“By working with us he’s raising vital funds for game-changing research, lifesaving campaigning and vital support services for men living with and after prostate cancer.”

Nicky Read, chief of fundraising at Anthony Nolan, added: “We’re extremely grateful to Peter Kay who, through choosing to support Anthony Nolan as one of the beneficiaries of his final shows, is supporting people affected by blood cancer and blood disorders.

“Fundraising like this helps us to add new lifesavers to the register, provide specialist post-transplant nurses, conduct groundbreaking research, and be there to provide important information to patients and their families during the most difficult of times.”

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