Peter Kay Tops the 2024 Rich List After Smashing Records With His Residency Tour

In a remarkable turn of events, British comedian Peter Kay has claimed the top spot on the 2024 Rich List for entertainers, raking in an extraordinary £27 million from his blockbuster “Better Late Than Never” residency tour. This staggering achievement has left fans and industry insiders in awe, solidifying his place as one of the most successful comedians of all time.

The Triumph of “Better Late Than Never”

Peter Kay’s tour has shattered expectations, surpassing the £10.3 million earned by fellow comedian Michael McIntyre in the same year. With an average ticket price of £59.70—considerably higher than McIntyre’s £43.35—Peter Kay has proven to be a box-office juggernaut. According to Pollstar, he now leads the comedy world in gross ticket sales, setting a benchmark for future performers.

JR Lind of Pollstar praised the evolving landscape of stand-up comedy, stating:
“The popularity of stand-up comedy continues into 2024, competing fiercely with more serious forms of entertainment. The rise of streaming, social media, and podcasting has accelerated comedians’ careers, giving them global reach and allowing them to build fanbases as loyal as those of pop stars.”

Breaking Records Across the UK

Peter Kay’s residency at London’s O2 Arena has made history, with 45 sold-out shows—a world record for any artist performing at the venue. Additionally, he has smashed attendance records at Manchester’s AO Arena, performing a groundbreaking 100 shows to ecstatic audiences.

The tour, which originally began in December 2022, has been so successful that Kay announced 21 additional dates in November 2024, extending his performances into 2025 and 2026. This new leg of the tour will include stops in Aberdeen, Brighton, Bournemouth, and the Isle of Man—venues he has never visited before.

A Netflix Controversy and the Return of Wallace and Gromit

While conquering the live stage, Peter Kay also made waves on television, lending his comedic genius to the beloved animated franchise Wallace and Gromit. In the highly anticipated Christmas special “Vengeance Most Fowl,” Kay voices Chief Inspector Mackintosh, marking his first TV role in four years.

The special, which aired on BBC One and attracted 9 million viewers, reintroduced fans to the villainous Feathers McGraw after a 16-year hiatus. However, one of Kay’s improvisational moments during the special caused unexpected confusion among Netflix executives, who will stream the episode globally next week.

In one scene, Kay’s character exclaims the Northern English phrase “Flippin’ Nora!” in shock after Feathers McGraw escapes from prison. The innocuous expression baffled Netflix staff, who reportedly asked, “Who is Nora, and why is she flipping?”

Nick Park, the creator of Wallace and Gromit, reassured Netflix, explaining:
“Peter improvised quite a lot, and ‘Flippin’ Nora’ is just a harmless Northern saying. It’s not offensive at all.”

Merlin Crossingham, the special’s creative director, added:
“We had to clarify that it wasn’t rude, just a playful expression. Peter’s ability to ad-lib added so much to the character.”

Behind the Scenes of “Vengeance Most Fowl”

The Christmas special has been described as a “Gnome Noir” adventure, blending suspense, humor, and nostalgia. Nick Park shared how he convinced Peter Kay to reprise his role, writing a heartfelt letter to the comedian, who had previously starred in “The Curse of the Were-Rabbit” in 2005.

“We told Peter his character would have a much bigger role this time, and he agreed to fit filming into his busy tour schedule,” Park revealed.

The storyline follows Gromit as he uncovers a sinister plot involving Wallace’s new invention—a malevolent “smart gnome.” As chaos ensues, Feathers McGraw emerges as the mastermind, marking his first appearance since the Oscar-winning short film “The Wrong Trousers” in 1993.

Peter Kay’s extraordinary achievements in 2024 highlight his unparalleled versatility as a comedian and performer. From dominating the comedy stage to delighting audiences with his voice acting, Kay continues to push boundaries and redefine success in the entertainment industry.

As his record-breaking tour rolls into 2025 and 2026, and with Wallace and Gromit’s latest adventure set to captivate audiences worldwide, one thing is clear: Peter Kay is a comedic force to be reckoned with.