Terminally ill brain cancer sufferer, 21, reveals Peter Kay agreed to do charity event in her honour after he saw news story and recognised her storyboard artist father from when they worked together - as comeback gig tickets sell out in 30 minutes

  • Peter Kay will perform double bill of charity shows at O2 Apollo Manchester 
  • Two events on August 7 have been described as 'two very special live Q&A's'
  • But tickets for the two shows sold out in just 30 minutes this morning 
  • They will be in aid of terminally ill 21-year-old Laura Nuttall from Lancashire
  • Comes 39 months after Peter's last stage appearance in Blackpool in April 2018

Laura Nuttall, who has just completed her second year at Manchester University where she is studying philosophy, politics and economics, will be in the audience with her family when Peter Kay plays his first gig in three years

Laura Nuttall, who has just completed her second year at Manchester University where she is studying philosophy, politics and economics, will be in the audience with her family when Peter Kay plays his first gig in three years

The terminally ill woman who has inspired Peter Kay to return to stage after three-plus years said today she 'can't wait' to hug him at the charity event the star has thrown in her honour after meeting her father on Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere.

Laura Nuttall, from Lancashire, also revealed the Car Share star took the family out to dinner and had them in tears of laughter as he tried to order some garlic bread - a nod to his joke voted the funniest gag in stand-up history. 

The 48-year-old comedian will perform a double bill of charity shows at the O2 Apollo Manchester on August 7 which he has called 'two very special live Q&A's', having seen Laura's cancer battle on the BBC.

His two highly-anticipated shows will be held in aid of Miss Nuttall - but tickets to Mr Kay's return to the stage have sold out in less than 30 minutes.

It comes 39 months after his last stage appearance which was at a charity screening of his comedy series Car Share at the Blackpool Opera House on April 7, 2018.

Laura's father is a storyboard artist who got to know Mr Kay when he helped him with his hit show Max and Paddy's Road to Nowhere also starring Paddy McGuinness, about the misadventures of the two bouncers from Brian Potter's fictional Phoenix Club in Bolton.

Miss Nuttall said: 'He rang my mum a month ago. He said he'd ring Manchester Apollo and see what slots they had free. Doing a concert for me, someone he loosely knows, part of me feels like I don't deserve it. There are other people with worse cancers, who don't have enough food to get by.' 

Laura with her dad Mark, who met Peter 20 years ago when he helped with a storyboard for his Max and Paddy show. Laura's mum worked for Grenada TV

Laura with her dad Mark, who met Peter 20 years ago when he helped with a storyboard for his Max and Paddy show. Laura's mum worked for Grenada TV

Laura was diagnosed with brain cancer when she was in her first term at Kings College University in London at the age of 18, following a series of headaches. She's had a series of operations and is still fighting. Peter has been in contact since 2019

Laura was diagnosed with brain cancer when she was in her first term at Kings College University in London at the age of 18, following a series of headaches. She's had a series of operations and is still fighting. Peter has been in contact since 2019

Peter Kay revealed the two new Q&A shows in a tweet posted on his account that has sent fans into a frenzy with tickets on sale this morning

Peter Kay revealed the two new Q&A shows in a tweet posted on his account that has sent fans into a frenzy with tickets on sale this morning

Kay's two new shows ¿ for which tickets will go on sale this Friday - will be held in aid of Laura Nuttall (pictured), a terminally ill 21-year-old woman from Lancashire with brain cancer

Kay's two new shows – for which tickets will go on sale this Friday - will be held in aid of Laura Nuttall (pictured), a terminally ill 21-year-old woman from Lancashire with brain cancer

Kay was last seen on camera in a pre-recorded video for the BBC's Big Night In coronavirus fundraiser in April 2020 which was filmed from his home in Bolton, Greater Manchester

Kay was last seen on camera in a pre-recorded video for the BBC's Big Night In coronavirus fundraiser in April 2020 which was filmed from his home in Bolton, Greater Manchester 

Want to see Peter Kay's stand-up return? Forget it! Lucky few grab tickets as show sells out in 30 minutes

Tickets to Peter Kay's highly anticipated return to the stage have sold out in less than 30 minutes.

The comedian, who has been largely absent from the public eye for the last three years, will host two live Q&As in aid of Laura Nuttall, 20, who has an aggressive type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme.

The two shows, called Doing It For Laura, will take place at the 3,500-capacity O2 Apollo Manchester on August 7.

Both events - at 1.30pm and 6.30pm - sold out within half an hour of going on sale at 9am on Friday and fans were then directed towards a waiting list.

 

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Soon afterwards they went out for dinner, where Peter was making everyone laugh. 

Mark Nuttall, who helped him develop his Max and Paddy show, told the Daily Mirror: 'He's just a naturally funny guy, he sees funny things where you and I would not.

'He always comes out with little quips. He did his usual faux pas of ordering food and said: 'I am a bit hungry, have you got any garlic..'. Everyone paused, the waitress was standing there. He has us in tears laughing. He was like: 'Right, what are we going to do to raise money?'. 

Both events - at 1.30pm and 6.30pm - sold out within half an hour of going on sale at 9am on Friday and fans were then directed towards a waiting list.

Ms Nuttall, who has just completed her second year at Manchester University where she is studying philosophy, politics and economics, will be in the audience with her family.

She was diagnosed with brain cancer when she was in her first term at Kings College University in London at the age of 18, following a series of headaches.

Her mother Nicola and father Mark first met Kay when they were working at Granada Television almost two decades ago and said they received an unexpected call from the star in January 2019 after Laura was diagnosed.

Mrs Nuttall, who worked in HR at Granada and now runs a children's play centre, previously told the PA news agency: 'We're so excited about it. And it's so wonderful he can do this for us, just incredible.'

Mr Kay was last seen on camera in a pre-recorded video for the BBC's Big Night In coronavirus fundraiser on April 23, 2020 which was filmed from his home in Bolton.

Kay tweeted today: 'Peter Kay will be performing two very special live Q&A's in aid of Laura Nuttall at Manchester O2 Apollo on 7th Aug 21. Tickets go on sale on this Friday (30th July) at 9am.'

The tweet included links to the Gigs and Tours and Ticketmaster websites where tickets will be available for the two shows, taking place at 1.30pm and 6.30pm. 

It also included a link to the 'Doing it for Laura' Facebook group for the charity for Miss Nuttall, who was diagnosed with Glioblastoma multiforme in October 2018. 

Miss Nuttall's mother Nicola Nuttall said: 'Still can't believe this actually happening! So incredibly grateful to Peter for doing this and just cannot wait for August 7.' 

The announcement comes 39 months after Kay's last stage appearance which was at a charity screening of his comedy series Car Share at the Blackpool Opera House on April 7, 2018

The announcement comes 39 months after Kay's last stage appearance which was at a charity screening of his comedy series Car Share at the Blackpool Opera House on April 7, 2018

Laura Nuttall and Gillian Anderson at a meeting in London

Laura Nuttall and Gillian Anderson at a meeting in London

It comes after Kay stepped back from the public eye in 2017, when he cancelled a huge 14-month stand-up tour due to 'unforeseen family circumstances'.

The tour was due to have run across the UK and Ireland from April 2018 through to summer 2019 - and Kay had only announced it one month earlier.

But he said on December 13, 2017: 'Due to unforeseen family circumstances, I deeply regret that I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects.

'This unfortunately includes my upcoming standup tour, Dance for Life shows and any outstanding live work commitments.

'My sincerest apologies. This decision has not been taken lightly and I'm sure you'll understand my family must always come first.'

The comedian was then due to make a comeback with a series of six 'Dance For Life' shows to raise money for Cancer Research UK in April and May 2020.

But the events - with two due to have been in each of Manchester, Liverpool and London - had to be postponed in March last year because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Kay did however release a special audio-only episode of his comedy Car Share with co-star Sian Gibson in April last year in an attempt to 'cheer people in some way'. 

He also made a brief return this January when he called into Cat Deeley's new BBC Radio 2 programme, as they discussed the New Year and embarrassing stories. 

Kay's tweet today was his first post on Twitter in 15 months, with his last on April 29 last year when he wrote about the BBC repeating both series of Car Share. 

His last Twitter activity was retweeting a post by Rick Astley last October about the singer's video for the song Every One Of Us which supported Children in Need. 

Kay's fans had raised concerns for his health after his appearance on the BBC's Big Night In back in April 2020, with some saying he looked 'far from 100 per cent'. 

Kay lives in Bolton with his wife Susan (pictured in London in 2003) and their three children

Kay lives in Bolton with his wife Susan (pictured in London in 2003) and their three children

Kay recorded an audio-only version of Car Share in April 2020 with his co-star Sian Gibson

Kay recorded an audio-only version of Car Share in April 2020 with his co-star Sian Gibson

Last September, it emerged his absence from the public eye had seen money continue to roll into Good Night Vienna Productions, the firm he established in 1999.

Described as a 'writing, performing and TV production' business, its shareholder funds were £24.8million by the end of March 2020 - £1million up on the year before. 

Some £23.3million of the company's funds were held in 'cash in bank and in hand', while its only reported spending was limited to just £1,495 - on 'motor vehicles'. 

Kay, whose 2010-11 tour made it into the Guinness World Records after he performed to more than 1.2million people, lives with his wife Susan and their three children.

How Peter Kay is helping to raise money for terminally ill student's £80,000 brain cancer treatment 

Peter Kay's two special live shows next month have been organised to help fund a student's £80,000 pioneering brain cancer treatment.

The tickets for his Q&A events will go on sale this Friday with all funds raised in aid of 'Doing It For Laura' to help terminally ill Laura Nuttall, 21.

Ms Nuttall, from Barrowford, in Lancashire, is battling Glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive brain tumour, and has already had immunotherapy treatment.

But her cancer has returned and after surgery in March she needs more treatment in Cologne, Germany.

'Doing It For Laura' has so far raised over £14,000 to help her fund a lifesaving 'innovative new immunotherapy treatment' in Germany.

Laura Nuttall (right) with her parents Nicola and Mark (centre) and sister Gracie (left)

Laura Nuttall (right) with her parents Nicola and Mark (centre) and sister Gracie (left)

Ms Nuttall received the diagnosis three years ago after complaining to her GP of sickness and headaches and an eye examination detected swelling in her optic nerve.

Her mother Nicola Nuttall said: 'Laura was diagnosed with brain cancer in Autumn 2018 when she was just 18. She was given a prognosis of roughly 12 months and told to go away and make memories.

'She bravely endured a craniotomy to remove the largest tumour and then started a gruelling program of radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

'But then we found an innovative new immunotherapy treatment available only in Germany.'

Everton fan Ms Nuttall met the team and is pictured with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford

Everton fan Ms Nuttall met the team and is pictured with goalkeeper Jordan Pickford

Mrs Nuttall added: 'With the help of our friends, community and the wonderful people who donated through GoFundMe, we were able to take Laura out to Cologne on a regular basis.

'To our delight, her immune system responded to the treatment.

'Laura remained well, well enough to go back to university in Manchester and start a degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics.

'Fast forward 2.5 years and although still really healthy and free of symptoms, a routine MRI scan revealed regrowth on the site of the original tumour.

Ms Nuttall (left) has got to meet a series of stars, including actress Gillian Anderson

Ms Nuttall (left) has got to meet a series of stars, including actress Gillian Anderson 

'Laura had a second surgery at the end of March and now the plan is for two further dendritic cell vaccinations and a course of a checkpoint inhibitor called Pembrolizumab.

'None of this is available on the NHS of course so we are faced with the enormous challenge of raising a further £80,000.'

After Ms Nuttall was diagnosed she created a 'bucket list' of activities she wanted to complete and so far she has piloted HMS Charger, driven a supercar around Silverstone and visited the Churchill War Rooms.

She went to LGV driving school Ben Shaw Training in Burnley with her parents to drive a DAF truck and a bus around the practice yard.

Ms Nuttall underwent radiotherapy after surgery, along with chemotherapy

Ms Nuttall underwent radiotherapy after surgery, along with chemotherapy 

Other items on her bucket list include viewing The Scream painted by artist Edvard Munch, crossing the equator and visiting the Heinz Factory in Wigan.

And more recently she ticked another item off her bucket list when she got to drive a pink digger.

That experience was provided by Cumbria based company Waitings whose own director, Victoria Waiting, died in 2016 aged 44, with the same tumour Ms Nuttall is fighting.

Earlier this month Ms Nuttall also got to visit Wembley and see England's defeat against Italy in the Euro 2020 final after being given free tickets.

Ms Nutall meets the BBC's Fiona Bruce - another of the stars she has met in recent years

Ms Nutall meets the BBC's Fiona Bruce - another of the stars she has met in recent years

She has just completed the second year of her degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Manchester University.

Ms Nuttall has also been invited to model for a fashion show at Manchester Airport later this year, staged by cancer support group Maggie's Centres.

She is also looking forward later this year to having afternoon tea at HMP Styal jail.

She will be served at the Clink restaurant by prisoners in training who are working towards gaining their City Guilds NVQs in food and beverage service, professional cookery and food hygiene.

Gina Almond, The Brain Tumour Charity's director of fundraising and marketing, said: 'We are absolutely delighted for Laura that Peter Kay has shown such kindness in putting on these shows to help fund her glioblastoma treatment abroad.

'Laura is one of our inspirational Young Ambassadors who help us to raise awareness about brain tumours so we can improve early diagnosis and find new treatments faster – and we are hugely grateful for the family's ongoing support for us despite everything they are going through.

'Brain tumours remain the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40 in the UK. Glioblastomas in particular are the most common and most aggressive form of brain tumour in adults, accounting for around 2,200 cases in England each year. 

'With treatment options remaining limited, and average survival being around 12-18 months from diagnosis, we urgently need to find new treatments to help give those affected by a glioblastoma more time to live. A cure can't wait.'

Read more about Laura Nuttall's story on the Doing It For Laura website, or visit her GoFundMe page to donate towards her £80,000 goal

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