PETER Kay has made a rare public appearance to launch a new boat at a watersports centre in Chorley.
The Phoenix Nights comedian, 48, looked on good form as he waved to the crowd on his arrival, wearing a blue baseball cap and matching jacket.
5
5
Peter, from nearby Bolton, visited the Anderton Centre in Chorley to showcase the first ‘Wheelyboat’ for disabled and wheelchair users.
It will enable them to safely try watersports for the first time.
Peter proudly posed by the vessel, which was about to take its maiden voyage.
He then cut the red ribbon to officially declare the Wheelyboat open.
Peter has been largely out of the spotlight since a surprise appearance at a charity screening of his series Car Share in 2018.
He cancelled his last stand-up tour in December 2017, citing “unforeseen family circumstances”.
The Max and Paddy star’s latest public outing comes after he revealed he will be documenting his life in a new autobiography.
He revealed a third book was in the works after being inspired while recording the audiobook for his bestselling autobiography The Sound Of Laughter – 15 years after it was published.
Most read in Celebrity
He admitted that recording the book made him miss writing and he’s now ready to share more of his life in TV with fans.
The Bolton favourite said: “Within the first few chapters of recording, I was inspired to start to write a third book.
“I had the idea about 10 years ago. All about working in TV. From when I started doing bit parts in Coronation Street right up to Car Share.
“It’s been a real joy recalling the memories. There’s over 20 years of stories about filming series like Phoenix Nights and Max & Paddy’s Road To Nowhere.
“Appearing on chat shows like Parkinson, at the Queen’s Golden Jubilee and sharing letters from Ronnie Barker. We wrote to each other for years as pen pals until he passed away.”
He added: “I’m very proud of it. I’ll no doubt be recording that book too before you know it. I just hope people enjoy it as much as this first one.”
Peter’s first autobiography still holds the record for the biggest-selling British hardback autobiography of all time, selling more than two million copies worldwide.
He recorded the first chapter of the book at the time it was published in 2006 and released it for charity but never got round to recording the rest – until lockdown when he got to work at home.
Peter released his second book, Saturday Night Peter, in 2009, when it was also a bestseller.
Addressing why he had never written before, he said: “I suppose life gets in the way. Becoming a dad changed my priorities.
“The trick is getting the balance right in your life. I think a lot of people were forced to realise that during the pandemic.
“I think a lot of people’s priorities will have changed forever now. Hopefully for the better.”
5
5
5
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The Sun Showbiz team?
