Coronavirus: Peter Kay to make TV comeback in COVID-19 charity show

Peter Kay will make a highly anticipated return to British TV screens later this month when he joins forces with other British celebrities for a coronavirus fundraising show.

Comic Relief and Children In Need have joined forces for a one-off television special later in April to raise money for those people affected by the coronavirus outbreak in the UK.

It comes as Lady Gaga announced a similar event in the US, on 18 April to support healthcare workers fighting the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kay‘s last live TV appearance was in 2017, when he spoke at the We Are Manchester concert, following the Manchester Arena bombing.

In the same year, the Bolton comedian cancelled an arena tour citing family circumstances, and has only made rare appearances in the limelight since.

A year later, he concluded his sitcom Car Share, which he wrote and starred in – and won a Bafta for.

As part of a comeback in 2020 it was announced that he would tour his charity show Peter Kay’s Dance For Life in April and May this year, but ended up cancelling that too, due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

Confirmed to appear alongside the Lancashire funny-man on the BBC’s The Big Night In event so far is Take That front man Gary Barlow, as well as actress and comedian Catherine Tate.

The three-hour long show is expected to feature live performances from musicians in their home and a number of giveaways and celebrity appearances.

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Announcing details of the show, Comic Relief stalwart Lenny Henry promised a “fantastic night” to “cheer people up in this terrible crisis”.

He added: “And if people of course want to donate they can give a bit of money to help all of the vulnerable, smaller charities across the country who work with people of any age and any background who need it.

“And even if you can’t donate just watch, it’ll cheer you up.”

The project will raise funds for Comic Relief and Children In Need, who will provide support to local projects around the UK, affected by the coronavirus outbreak, according to the BBC.

Charlotte Moore, director of BBC Content, described it as a “special one-off live charity event”.

“I would like to thank both BBC Children In Need and Comic Relief for joining forces in these unprecedented times to provide their support to local charities, projects and programmes across the whole UK; and to all of the stars taking part in this unmissable night of entertainment when the country needs it most,” she added.

Oliver Dowden, the culture secretary, has hailed the show, saying it is a “fantastic way to channel the amazing outpouring of generosity we are seeing from the British people”.

The Big Night In will air on BBC One on 23 April at 7pm.

(c) Sky News 2020: Coronavirus: Peter Kay to make TV comeback in COVID-19 charity show