...as a warm-up man

Peter Kay is joining the X Factor... as a warm-up man.

The comic was so keen to get involved he reportedly phoned producers directly to ask for the job.

They agreed, so now he will warm up the crowd at the auditions being held at Liverpool’s Echo Arena today.

Kay – who spoofed the talent show genre in his last TV project in 2008 – is a friend of judge Gary Barlow. The singer joined him on tour one night last year for a singalong of a Take That number.

Guest judge Geri Halliwell will join Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh for today’s show.

Published: 23 May 2012