S Poddar
Peter Kay’s Manchester show recently turned into an impromptu drama when some members of the audience walked out of the event, calling it “nasty and bitter.” The 51-year-old comedian, who is on his goldmine £27 million “Better Late Than Never Again!” tour, clashed with some hecklers at the AO Arena, leaving the event full of heat.
During the event, Kay grew visibly frustrated when a man repeatedly shouted his famous catchphrase, “garlic bread.” The phrase, originating from his Phoenix Nights days, has long been associated with his comedic persona. However, his patience seemed to wear thin as the audience member continued to call it out. Eventually, security was instructed to remove the man, a decision that did not sit well with other attendees.
Shortly after, a woman in the audience shouted, “We love you, Peter Kay!” Rather than acknowledging the sentiment warmly, Kay responded with a controversial remark, allegedly comparing her to Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley. Riley, who has been open about her weight loss journey, became an unintentional part of the evening’s drama as Kay’s comment sparked further backlash.
Several audience members expressed their disappointment, with some leaving before the show concluded. One attendee shared their frustration, stating, “It was embarrassing. The guy only shouted ‘garlic bread,’ and the woman just said she loved him. Waited 20 years to see him and was disappointed.” Another witness added, “As a professional comedian, he should have handled the situation better. The woman wasn’t even heckling or swearing.”
Kay’s decision to eject both individuals contributed to what some described as a “chaotic” performance. The show, taking place just 12 miles from his hometown of Bolton, was supposed to be a triumphant return, but instead, it left many questioning his approach to dealing with audience interaction.
The night didn’t just revolve around the hecklers. Kay’s set included jokes that some found uncomfortable, including an impression of a blind person and a quip about erectile dysfunction linked to antidepressants. His reference to “sertraline 40mg,” a widely prescribed antidepressant, drew mixed reactions, with some finding it distasteful.
One audience member who left early described the show as “disjointed” and “offensive.” Reflecting on the event, they said, “We left half an hour before it ended. His performance was poor, but the way he treated the hecklers was ridiculous.”
Peter Kay’s iconic status in British comedy has long been cemented, with his observational humor making him a household name. However, this recent incident has sparked debate over how comedians handle live audiences. Heckling is a common part of stand-up performances, and while it can be disruptive, the way it is managed often defines the tone of the show.
In the case of the man who repeatedly shouted “garlic bread,” Kay initially played along, questioning how it could be considered a theme tune when he had asked the audience for suggestions. However, as the interruptions persisted, his patience ran out. By the third outburst, he had the arena lights turned on, sat down on stage, and directed security to remove the man along with his friends.
As they were escorted out, another audience member, the woman who shouted “We love you, Peter Kay!”, became the next focus of his frustration. Asking if she had been drinking, he then instructed security to remove her as well, adding the Lisa Riley comment that left many unsettled.
The fallout from the show has extended beyond the arena, with social media users voicing their opinions. Some fans defended Kay, arguing that hecklers disrupt the flow of a performance and that he was justified in his reaction. Others, however, felt he overreacted and that his response was unnecessarily harsh.
As one person put it, “I have lost a lot of respect for Peter Kay over the treatment of the heckler at the Manchester show. Forcing him to be removed and then joking about it for minutes was unnecessary.” Another added that “he’s always been that family-friendly type of humor, but this show felt mean-spirited.”
Amidst the controversy, some have pointed out that Kay himself has undergone a significant personal transformation. He was recently photographed looking noticeably slimmer while heading to his tour bus after a performance at London’s O2 Arena in January. Fans had speculated about his return to the stage after a long hiatus, hoping for a nostalgic and uplifting experience.
Instead, the Manchester gig has left a divided audience. While some still appreciate his humor, others are questioning whether his comedic style has shifted in a way that alienates certain fans.
Comedy has always been subjective, and while some attendees found the performance entertaining, others walked away disappointed. The debate over whether Kay’s handling of the hecklers was justified or overly aggressive will likely continue as he progresses through his tour. What remains clear is that his Manchester homecoming was far from the smooth, celebratory event many had anticipated.
