'Peter Kay's Hull shows will boost local comedy'

The owners of a grassroots comedy club are hoping Peter Kay's upcoming shows in Hull will put the city's comedy scene "on the map".

Kay will perform in Hull for the first time on 10 October with two shows at Connexin Live as part of his Better Late Than Never Tour, which he started in 2022.

He will also take to the stage in Cardiff, Brighton and Blackpool, with all profits going to charity.

Paul Hazell, co-owner of the Comedy Lounge in Hull, said: "It'll promote comedy in general. [It will] do all the comedy venues some good."

He added: "People do need laughter in their life, it's the best medicine you can have."

Hazell said he hoped bigger names would visit grassroots venues in the future to acknowledge "where they started off".

His wife, Beverley, agreed. She said: "Comedy as a whole is struggling at the moment because people just don't have the money to go out as much.

"Everybody just wants to sit and be entertained on TV, so it would encourage people to come out more.

"There's nothing better than live entertainment. That's what people need now."

The pair have recently launched a new venue in Hull, called The Gilded Lounge, featuring London-style cabaret shows.

"I think it's something that's really good for the city and it brings tourists into the area as well," Beverley said.

"Live entertainment is the future."

Announcing his latest dates, Kay told BBC Radio 2 the gigs would celebrate "coastal comedy".

The profits from Kay's shows will be donated to charities including The Lily Foundation, Maggie's and The Be More Laura Foundation.

Kay said: "It's been an incredible four-year tour. I've absolutely loved it.

"If doing a few more shows can help raise money for these overlooked and sadly underfunded charities, then that's the least I can do."

The comic will host the following shows:

• Cardiff Utilita Arena on Sunday 6 September at 15:00 and 19:30 BST.
• Hull Connexin Live on Saturday 10 October at 15:00 and 20:00.
• Brighton Centre on Friday 13 November at 20:00 and Saturday 14 November at 15:00 and 19:30 GMT.
• Blackpool Opera House on Saturday 21 November at 15:30 and 20:00.

Tickets go on general sale at 10:00 on Friday.

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