Peter Kay to return to the stage to DJ at six charity dance-a-thon events for Cancer Research UK

Comedy legend Peter Kay will return to the stage in April to DJ at six charity dance-a-thon events. 

Fans feared for the comic genius when he cancelled a nationwide tour in 2017 due to ‘unforeseen family circumstances’ and disappeared from the limelight.

But a post to the comedian’s Twitter page this morning announced that the Dance For Life event – to raise month for Cancer Research UK – would return with Kay as the DJ in April and May.

The Dance For Life event – to raise month for Cancer Research UK – would return with Kay as the DJ

Fans feared for Kay when he cancelled a nationwide tour in 2017 due to ‘unforeseen family circumstances’ and disappeared from the limelight. Pictured: Kay in November 2017 on The Jonathan Ross Show

Since his self-imposed hiatus, the Lancashire-born comic has rarely been seen in public but has promoted charity events. 

The Dance for Life JustGiving page states that Kay ‘is returning to the decks’ for the events in Manchester, Liverpool and London.

Kay told Bolton News: ‘I’ve honestly never had so much fun as I had working on Dance For Life.

‘The atmosphere was so happy and positive; it really is a great way to raise money for the worthiest of causes. All people have to do is turn up and dance.’

His last stage appearance was when he spoke to an audience gathered to see a charity screening of his BBC comedy Car Share in April 2018.

He was photographed on December 27 when he made an appearance at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre to watch X Factor star Chico and iconic duo Canon and Ball in a production of Peter Pan 

Since his self-imposed hiatus, the Lancashire-born comic has rarely been seen in public but has promoted charity events. Pictured: Kay performs in support of US singer and pianist Billy Joel in Dublin, Ireland, in July 2006

The three screenings were to raise money for The Lily Foundation, supporting children with mitochondrial disease, that the Phoenix Nights star had ‘first-hand experience of’.

He was photographed for the first time in eight months on December 27 when he made an appearance at the Crewe Lyceum Theatre to watch X Factor star Chico and iconic duo Canon and Ball in a production of Peter Pan.

TV personality Chico posted a picture of the four men together on his fitness page with the caption: ‘When Peter Kay pops in to see us #panto with the legends that are Cannon and Ball life is complete.’

On December 29 he was seen looking in high spirits as he smiled for a photograph at the final performance of Nativity! The Musical in London.

Kay posed for the snap alongside the show’s director Debbit Isitt, who later posted the photo on her Twitter page alongside a caption about the star.

She penned: ‘So lovely to see the brilliant comic genius Peter Kay and his lovely family tonight for our final show! What a lovely surprise for us all!’

This came hours after Kay broke his social media silence to slam Channel 5 for using an ‘incredibly misleading title’ for a documentary on his life and career.

‘Peter Kay: In His Own Words’ aired at 9pm on the channel on Sunday, but doesn’t feature any new interviews with the comedy legend.

A strongly-worded statement posted on the funnyman’s official Twitter account hours before the programme aired stated that Peter wasn’t involved with the two-hour documentary in any way.

Earlier this year, the star confirmed that he’s laid out plans for a movie version of Phoenix Nights – while speaking in pre-recorded footage shown at a charity screening of the series, The Sun reports.

He said: ‘People always ask, ‘Will there be more Phoenix Nights?’ and I can now confirm there won’t — but I am thinking of a film.’

In April 2019, Kay was seen on a tram in Blackpool. He was snapped grinning with the driver and conductor of the tram