Comedian Jason Manford recently came to the defense of his longtime friend Peter Kay, who had to remove disruptive hecklers from his show. Manford, currently on his own comedy tour, shared his thoughts on the issue following a similar incident in Manchester earlier this year.
During a recent performance at London’s O2 arena, Peter Kay intervened when disruptive audience members threatened to spoil the show. Manford expressed his support for Kay, referring to him as a “national treasure,” and highlighted the negative impact heckling can have on a performance.
Manford acknowledged the prevalence of heckling in comedy, fueled in part by social media clips that comedians often share. However, he emphasized the importance of respecting the performer’s material and the overall experience for the audience.
Reflecting on Kay’s actions in removing disruptive individuals from his show, Manford suggested that such incidents serve as a reminder for everyone to show respect and not disrupt the performance. He also praised Kay’s ability to handle hecklers in a humorous manner but noted the potential negative impact on the flow of the show.
Peter Kay’s successful “Better Late Than Never Again!” Tour, which has been ongoing for several years, is set to continue until 2026. Manford shared his admiration for Kay’s talent and described the privilege of being able to witness Kay’s early show development.
In addition to his comedy tour, Jason Manford will be hosting a TV show on BBC1 this weekend, The National Lottery’s Big Night of Musicals, celebrating 30 years of The National Lottery’s support for theater projects.
For those interested, Peter Kay’s O2 show and upcoming Manchester gig offer opportunities to experience his renowned performances. “Big Night of Musicals” will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer this Saturday, March 22, featuring Jason Manford and a lineup of theater productions.