Peter Kay’s Car Share RETURNS with one-off episode

Peter Kay has announced his popular show Car Share will return for a special one-off episode to cheer fans up amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The comedian, 46 – who will make a return to television later this month after two years out of the spotlight – revealed he had recorded an  audio episode of the sitcom, which will drop on Friday, April 10.

He said: ‘It’s a horrific situation right now we’re all going through and like so many people I feel compelled to try to do something positive in an attempt to cheer people up in some way.  

‘Sian Gibson, Paul Coleman and myself got together via t’internet and wrote a new short episode of Car Share. It all happened very quickly – in fact, it didn’t exist a week ago.

‘Obviously we weren’t able to film anything because of the lockdown but I hope people will use their imagination and enjoy listening.’

He also tweeted on Wednesday: ‘Car Share Returns With A Special Audio Only Episode @Sianygibby @PColemanchester and myself got together via t’internet and wrote a new short episode in an effort to try cheer people up.

‘It’s on @BBCiPlayer on Good Friday 10th April. Enjoy and #StayHomeSaveLives.’ 

Shane Allen, the controller of BBC Comedy, added: ‘We can’t thank Peter enough for giving up his time and effort to make this extra-special treat happen.’ 

Car Share last aired in May 2018  and told the story of supermarket assistant manager John Redmond and promotions rep Kayleigh Kitson during their time in a company car sharing scheme.

The announcement comes one day after it was revealed  Peter will make his first TV appearance in two years later this month on a three hour BBC charity show designed to lift the spirits of the nation and fundraise during the coronavirus pandemic.

The comedian will join a star-studded line-up for BBC One’s The Big Night In, set to air on April 23, marking his return to television after his last appearance on Car Share in May 2018. 

Lenny Henry announced the exciting news – a joint venture between Children In Need and Comic Relief – on Tuesday’s episode of The One Show. 

Other stars who have signed up for the show include Catherine Tate and Gary Barlow. 

Speaking on The One Show, Lenny, 61, said: ‘Peter Kay will be involved, there will be musical guests, it will just be a really fun night to cheer people up during the crisis.

‘And of course if people want to donate, give a bit of money to help, they can, to help any of the small charities across the country, who help people of any age who need it.

‘Even if you can’t donate, just watch it will cheer you up.’

The show will celebrate acts of kindness and community support during lockdown and feature entertainment and music.

There will also be celebrities helping out during the crisis and live music performances filmed from home – with the show adhering to all government imposed social distancing rules. 

Viewers will be able to donate if they are able to do so, with funds split between Children In Need and Comic Relief to support vulnerable people during the pandemic.     

A source told Mirror Online: ‘We are delighted to get Peter involved as we know how many millions of fans he has.

‘Peter is always keen to help when charities are involved and we can’t wait to see what he is lining up for the show. Fans will love seeing him back on TV.’

Charlotte Moore, Director of BBC Content, said: ‘BBC One will bring the nation together for this special one off live charity event. 

‘I would like to thank both BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief for joining forces in these unprecedented times to provide their support to local charities, projects and programmes across the whole UK; and to all of the stars taking part in this unmissable night of entertainment when the country needs it most.’    

UK Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: ‘The Big Night In is a fantastic way to channel the amazing outpouring of generosity we are seeing from the British people. 

‘It’s brilliant to see BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief coming together for the first time to ensure help gets to those that need it most, and to celebrate those who are going above and beyond in their communities.

‘We’re working with the BBC and others to ensure this event is a huge success. As government develops further measures, we will work together to coordinate our efforts in the battle against coronavirus and remind everyone to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.’  

The announcement comes three weeks after Peter has cancelled his Dance For Life tour due to the Covid-19 outbreak.

The comedian broke the news in a statement, less than a month after confirming he would be returning to the stage with his epic dance-a-thon to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

Peter’s Dance For Life Tour would have been his long-awaited return to the spotlight after cancelling all of his work commitments in 2017 due to ‘unforeseen family circumstances.’ 

He said: ‘Obviously this is disappointing news but well and truly justified given the circumstances. We’ll get through this, together and then we’ll all have a great big dance for life. Stay safe and look after yourselves and the people around you.’

A further statement from Peter said: ‘Due to the ongoing coronavirus outbreak and following Government advice, it is with deep regret that the forthcoming Peter Kay’s Dance For Life shows are being postponed.

‘We are looking to schedule the shows so please hold onto your tickets as they will be valid for the new dates.

‘We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but the safety of the public is paramount.’

Last month Peter announced that he would be returning to the stage in April to DJ at six charity dance-a-thon events.  

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.

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 stated that Kay ‘was returning to the decks’ for the events in Manchester, Liverpool and London.

He 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.’

Peter’s 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.

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’.

While he was first spotted Peter 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 Peter 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 on the channel, 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.’