Tour planned for 2010

Peter Kay is to return to stand-up after more than five years away.

He says he will tour again in 2010, after rediscovering a love for live comedy while writing his memoirs, Saturday Night Peter.

Writing on his website, Kay said: ‘Just to confirm that the rumours are true and I've decided to return to the world of stand-up once again.

‘Writing the book reminded me how much I love it. So the ball is now rolling, the wheels are in motion and as soon as I have an update you'll be the first to know – well, after my mum of course.’

He has clearly had a change of heart since making a guest appearance during Jason Manford’s gig in Salford to tell the audience he wouldn’t be returning to the stage – as he couldn’t come up with any new jokes.

He said then: ‘I've been far too busy mincing about dressed as a woman to come up with any new material.

‘I came up with one new joke recently about naan bread and it was about my nan and bread. But it's not very funny. That's why I don't do gigs any more.’

Kay has been criticised by fans for re-releasing the same material on DVD, so a new tour should provide them with some new gags.

The 36-year-old earned an estimated £4.5 million last year, mainly from book and DVD sales.

Published: 15 Nov 2009