Peter Kay has said a "huge thank you" to fans who attended the run of shows that has kicked off his first live comedy tour in 12 years.
The gigs at the Manchester AO Arena were the first in a mammoth arena tour spanning from December to late 2023.
His first performance last Friday saw him brought to tears after he received a rapturous standing ovation that lasted several minutes.
He wrote on Twitter: "I'd like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to the first shows in Manchester. It was incredible to be a part of such a happy experience.
"Everybody deserves a bit of joy. Here's to a lot more in the shows to come!!"
The comedian, 49, also teased a "big announcement" being made on Sara Cox's BBC Radio 2 drivetime show shortly after 6:00pm on Thursday.
A message from Peter Kay… pic.twitter.com/erYPCVcrGI
— Peter Kay (@peterkay_co_uk) December 7, 2022
On the tour, Kay is due to visit cities including Dublin, Belfast, Birmingham, Glasgow, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Sheffield.
Kay, from Bolton, Greater Manchester, has been largely out of the spotlight in recent years.
He returned to the stage in August 2021 for two special charity events to raise money for Laura Nuttall, a then-20-year-old with an aggressive type of brain cancer called glioblastoma multiforme.
There was also a brief return in January 2021 when he appeared on BBC Radio 2 to chat to Cat Deeley - who was filling in after Graham Norton left the station - about his love of music, mixtapes, and the musical Mamma Mia!.
He also made a surprise appearance at a charity screening of his series Car Share in 2018.
Kay cancelled his last tour in December 2017, citing "unforeseen family circumstances".
Source: Press Association
