Paddy McGuinness heaps praise on childhood pal Peter Kay amid huge comeback: ‘No one comes close’-Louise Griffin-Entertainment – Metro

Paddy McGuinness (L) and Peter Kay have known each other for years (Picture: Channel 4)

Paddy McGuinness has celebrated his childhood friend Peter Kay amid the comedian’s incredible comeback, insisting that ‘no one comes close’ to matching his live performances.

The native Boltonians met during their school days in Farnworth, with Paddy, 49, crediting Peter, also 49, with his foray into comedy.

They went on to collaborate on various projects, including That Peter Kay Thing, Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy’s Road to Nowhere.

While Peter took some time out of the limelight following the cancellation of his 2017 stand-up tour, he’s now had what seems like the entire country trying to secure a ticket to his new dates, which include a monthly residency at London’s O2.

Sharing various snaps of the pair of them, Paddy wrote: ‘I don’t often speak about Pete and his achievements on my socials. He’s been a mate since childhood and that’s how I always see him?

‘Regardless of all the great things he’s achieved on television there’s literally no one who comes close to what he does live. The amount of tickets he sells is unheard of in the comedy world and beyond!

‘He’s a one off folks, enjoy him, I don’t think you’ll see the likes of him again? Certainly not in our lifetime. I’m very proud you son. PS I haven’t got tickets. PPS I don’t need any.’

The comedian, who has remained largely out of the limelight over recent years – will embark on his first live tour since 2010, starting this December.

And, with plenty of people up and down the country struggling financially at the moment, the northern comic is keen to keep ticket prices as low as he can.

‘It’s good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy and if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now,’ the funnyman said.

Paddy heaped praise on his pal (Picture: Mark Campbell/REX/Shutterstock)

They’ve collaborated on a bunch of projects over the years (Picture: Channel 4)

Peter recently announced his comeback tour (Picture: Channel 4)

‘And with the cost of living at an all-time high, ticket prices are starting from £35. The same price they were on my previous tour in 2010.’

Peter will begin his tour on December 2 at the Manchester AO Arena before his residency at the O2, and will visit locations including Birmingham, Liverpool and Dublin, ending in August 2023 at the Sheffield Utilita Arena.

The 49-year-old took a break from the limelight in 2017 and cancelled his nationwide tour, citing family circumstances as the reason at the time.

He has since started slowly returning to public life with various surprise performances and charity events, recently delighting fans at the Dance For Life show in Liverpool for Cancer Research in August.

Then, he began gearing up to return to the stage properly by testing new material on fans at a series of surprise gigs around the country.

When cancelling his 100-date sell-out tour four years ago, Peter released a statement reading: ‘Due to unforeseen family circumstances I deeply regret I am having to cancel all of my upcoming work projects. My sincerest apologies.

‘This decision has not been taken lightly and I’m sure you’ll understand my ­family must always come first.’

Safe to say, fans were absolutely delighted to see him back.

Paddy, meanwhile, has become a star in his own right, with shows including Take Me Out, and taking over presenting duties on Top Gear.

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