Peter Kay is set to make a much-anticipated return to television this Christmas, marking the end of a lengthy break from the small screen. The beloved comedian from Bolton, who recently stepped back into the public eye following several years of low-profile activity, will voice a character in the upcoming Wallace and Gromit film, Vengeance Most Fowl. Kay will take on the role of Chief Inspector Macintosh in the latest instalment of the beloved animated franchise.
The new Wallace and Gromit adventure revolves around a string of garden thefts plaguing the local area, with Wallace and his newly designed smart gnome, Norbot, becoming the prime suspects. Despite Wallace’s insistence on his innocence, it once again falls to his loyal dog, Gromit, to investigate the sinister forces at play. The film will also see the return of the villainous Feathers McGraw, fresh out of prison and intent on seeking revenge. Feathers McGraw’s last appearance was in The Wrong Trousers, the 1993 BAFTA and Academy Award-winning short.
Alongside Peter Kay, audiences can look forward to cameo appearances from a stellar cast, including Diane Morgan (Afterlife), Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), Muzz Khan (Brassic), and Lenny Henry.
Kay’s return to television comes amidst a resurgent phase in his career, much to the delight of his many fans. The comedian is currently in the midst of a highly successful live performance series, which includes a staggering 110 shows scheduled across 2023, 2024, and 2025. Of these, 40 will be held at Manchester’s AO Arena. His return to live touring follows the cancellation of his previous tour in 2018/19 due to “unforeseen family circumstances.”
During this period, Kay kept a low profile, only occasionally appearing in public. Notably, he surprised fans during a charity screening of his hit show Car Share in 2018 and made a brief appearance in Blackpool in April 2019. He also participated in the BBC’s Big Night In in April 2020, reprising his role in the remake of Tony Christie’s “Amarillo” music video. In April 2022, Kay made a dramatic return to live performance with a show in Manchester, followed by dates in Liverpool.
A particularly emotional moment came in November 2022, during the first night of his first live comedy tour in over a decade. Kay, visibly moved by an extended standing ovation, was brought to tears as the crowd chanted his name when he walked on stage. Struggling to contain his emotions, he leaned on a stool, wiped his eyes, and jokingly said, “Oh Jesus, look at me, I mean what’s that all about… how am I supposed to do bloody comedy now?” This touching moment sparked the first laughter of the night.
The cancellation of his 2018/19 tour was a significant moment in his career. At the time, Kay issued a heartfelt statement: “Due to unforeseen family circumstances, I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects. This unfortunately includes my stand-up tour, Dance For Life shows, and any outstanding live work commitments.” He added, “My sincerest apologies. This decision has not been taken lightly, and I’m sure you’ll understand my family must always come first. I’ve always endeavoured to protect my family’s privacy from the media. I hope that the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time. Once again, I’m very sorry.”
Now, with his return to both the small screen and live performances, Peter Kay is back in the spotlight, and his fans couldn’t be happier.
