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I’m a body language expert – Peter Kay was overwhelmed with pressure to live up to success before 12-year break
PETER Kay was "overwhelmed" with pressure to impress fans as he returned to the stage after 12 years, a body language expert has claimed.
The 49-year-old comic broke down in tears as he was given a five-minute standing ovation.
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It was the first of 110 arena dates that the Phoenix Nights star will perform over the next two-and-a-half years.
Now body language expert Darren Stanton has revealed how Peter really felt about his return.
Speaking to The Sun on behalf of , Darren said: “Peter Kay is arguably one of the most successful British comedians ever.
"I think his success is largely down to the fact that his humour spans generations and people of all ages can identify with his past material and resonate with what he had to say.
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“There is obviously a lot of pressure on Peter to deliver material to the same standard if not better this time round on his tour and footage of him returning to the stage shows the absolute adulation the audience hold for the comedian.
"Peter, meanwhile, appeared overwhelmed and was bent over, gripping the podium for stability. He is a very genuine man and what you see is what you get with him.
“When I have analysed him previously Peter’s body language is always open and consistent with what he’s saying and feeling. From the clip, we can see that Peter is clearly quite an emotional man, who wears his heart on his sleeve.
"Peter was undeniably moved by the reception he received from the audience. He tells the audience, ‘you’ve got me in bits here’ which signifies his gratitude.
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"Peter being on the point of tears highlights how touched he was by the applause and cheering and again shows how overwhelmed he felt by the sense of passion, love and energy in the room for him.”
Peter made his triumphant return to stand-up comedy at Manchester AO Arena in front of adoring fans.
He's received rave reviews - but many told how he "looked and sounded nervous" within the first part of the show.
The comedian was crying within minutes and sobbed to crowds: “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.”
Fans were thrown out of the venue by security for secretly filming him.
He warned the crowd not to repeat his material in a bid not to spoil it for others.
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."
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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.
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