Peter Kay Live at the MEN Arena

MOST of those in the audience at the MEN Arena had paid for their tickets to see the Bolton comedian almost two years ago.

Even Peter Kay seemed as if his mind had been blown by how long his fans had waited to see him on his home turf: "Two years!" he shouted. "Two years since you bought tickets for this...unbelievable!"

This return to Manchester is the final 20 nights of his record-breaking Tour That Doesn't Tour Tour - appropriately subtitled 'The Farewell Tour'.

It's no secret that once these dates are over it will be at least six years before Peter embarks upon another stand-up comedy tour.

And although this show, in basic structure at least, is very similar to the one Peter presented here 18 months ago when the tour first kicked off, there's no doubt that its ingenious and foot-stomping finale means he will go out with a bang.

There is quite a bit of new material that has been slipped in as the tour progressed. Elsewhere, some of the best bits have been polished to make them even more funny, if that were possible.

This Tuesday night, the first of his final performances, Peter - in a welcome change of pace - sauntered on stage and proceeded to sit down with the audience as if we were in his front room, then chatted about not much in particular.

It is the ease with which he can draw in an audience of any size (here, about 12,000), make them comfortable and have them in the palm of his hand within seconds that never ceases to amaze. Lots of comedians would kill for that natural skill.

If you have yet to see the show, I will not spoil the ending, but trust me, it is something very special.

If, as expected, it is going to be a long wait before Peter is back doing stand-up, well over a million people who have paid to see this tour will have great memories to help them last until the next time.

Runs until October 22

Tickets: 0844 847 8000