Peter Kay sells 400,000 tickets in three hours

Peter Kay sold 400,000 tickets in just three hours on Friday, making him the fastest-selling live comedy act ever.

Tickets for his return to stand-up after a seven-year absence went on sale at 11am, and quickly overwhelmed venues. At the Cardiff Arena, for example, 5,500 tickets were sold in the first three minutes.

Some of the dates aren’t until April 2011 – but that didn’t quell demand. Kay Martin at the Glasgow SECC said: ‘To sell out so quickly when he won’t be here until 2011 is phenomenal. It's Kaymania in Scotland.’

The success comes on the back of the 200,000 tickets he sold for the 20 Manchester nights of the Tour That Doesn’t Tour Tour in a single day last month.

Kay said: ‘I couldn’t comprehend the demand in Manchester but this is amazing, I’m completely overwhelmed.

‘I’m going to give people a crackin’ night, mind you saying that I better get my head down and write some jokes.’

Colin Revel at the Newcastle Arena said sales were ‘absolutely astonishing, wiping all the various records away that were held by Take That, Robbie Williams, Oasis and Kylie Minogue. ’

Nicky Dunn at the Belfast Odyssey Arena said: ‘The unprecedented demand for tickets secures a place for Peter Kay in our record books as being the fastest artiste to sell out multiple shows.’

Andy Katie Musham at London’s O2 added: ‘Demand has been absolutely phenomenal and we have seen the highest ever volume of ticket sales in one day for a comedy event.’

Promoter Simon Moran said sales were ‘completely astonishing’.

Kay, who is currently No 1 in the singles charts with his Animated All Star Band in aid of Children In Need, previously held the record for the biggest selling stand-up tour with his 160-date Mum Wants A Bungalow Tour.

He also holds the record for the biggest selling stand-up DVD and autobiography of all time.

Published: 4 Dec 2009