Peter Kay fans ‘thrown out’ for secretly filming star as he made 12-year comeback

PETER Kay fans were "thrown out" by security at his first live show in 12 years - after being caught secretly filming the star.

The comedian, 49, banned the audience from recording any footage of him on stage.

He warned fans to "put their phones away" after making his triumphant return to the stage.

Peter kicked off his tour last night - the first of 110 arena dates that the Bolton star will perform over the next two-and-a-half years.

In a bid not to spoil it for fans, the comedian pleaded for his punchlines to remain within the venue.

One fan in the crowd wrote on Twitter this morning: "Filming was strictly forbidden I only snuck this pic and a couple others. People were getting thrown out near me for it!"

Another said: "Was at Peter Kay last night and people were telling the phone plebs to put their phones away. They are the ultimate entitled pillocks. They don’t care whose experience they ruin as long as the people they don’t really know on Social media know where they are."

The comic broke down in tears on stage last night during a five-minute standing ovation from fans.

The Phoenix Nights star admitted: “I’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while now.”

Bolton-born Peter, 48, was crying within minutes and told the crowds at Manchester AO Arena: “What’s all this about?

"Oh my Lord. I’m supposed to do bloody comedy now.

“Oh my God. You’ve got me in f*****g bits. Let me get my tissues out my drawer. I love you too. In ways you’ll never know.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for quite a while now, about five years.”

Peter, also famed for hit TV shows Car Share and Max and Paddy, has been largely absent from the public eye over the last four years.

Fellow comic Paddy McGuinness reacted to Peter's comeback last month.

"I don’t often speak about Pete and his achievements on my socials,"

"He’s been a mate since childhood and that’s how I always see him?

"Regardless of all the great things he’s achieved on television there’s literally no one who comes close to what he does live. The amount of tickets he sells is unheard of in the comedy world and beyond!

"He’s a one off folks, enjoy him, I don’t think you’ll see the likes of him again? Certainly not in our lifetime. I’m very proud you son."

Pete will play 110 live shows in locations including Birmingham, Liverpool and Dublin, ending in August 2023 at the Sheffield Utilita Arena.

And he will be the first artist in the world to perform each month at The O2 in London with a monthly residency gig as part of his huge comeback.

After announcing his return, he said: "It’s good to get back to what I love doing best, stand-up comedy, and if there’s ever a time people need a laugh it’s now."

In 2018 Peter cancelled an upcoming sell-out 100 gig nationwide tour.

Last year he appeared at two charity Q&A shows in Manchester for brain cancer patient Laura Nuttall.