In a surprisingly candid interview, beloved comedian Peter Kay has opened up about the significant anxiety he experiences both on and off stage, revealing he wears a metaphorical 'mask' to cope with performances.
A Nervous Chat on BBC Radio 2
The 52-year-old comic appeared on Scott Mills' BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show, where he admitted to feeling nervous about meeting the radio DJ himself. Despite his status as one of Britain's most popular stand-up comedians, Kay confessed that the world of showbusiness and chatting on the radio is far from his comfort zone.
When probed by Mills, who is 51 and also admitted to his own introverted tendencies and work-related nerves, Kay delved into his personal struggles. "I can't fathom it either at all," Kay confessed. "You know what, I think because when I do the shows I am, I thought it sounds a bit pretentious, I'm wearing some kind of a mask. I don't mean literally. But I mean, but yeah, at the same time, it is very much how I am."
The Introvert Behind the Persona
Kay was keen to clarify that his stage persona is not a complete fabrication but an amplified version of his quieter self. He explained that the core of his on-stage character is rooted in his genuine personality, just presented with more energy.
"So, I am introverted, but it's not a million miles from where I am as a person. It's not like you're putting on an act," he told Mills. "If I bumped into you in the street, you'd be exactly, oh, you were at home and you're introverted, you'd probably be exactly the same. But you just feel quieter. Not miserable."
The pair found common ground in a paradox many performers face: the ability to entertain millions through a screen or in a vast arena, while feeling uncomfortable in a small, intimate gathering. "I don't know why that is," Peter revealed. "Again, not miserable. Just not quite comfortable about it."
The Final Tour for a Vital Cause
The radio appearance followed Kay's rare television interview on The One Show the previous night, where he made a significant announcement about his record-breaking arena tour.
He confirmed that the tour, which first kicked off in 2022 and has been repeatedly extended due to phenomenal demand, is finally coming to a close. However, he is adding one last set of dates with a profoundly charitable purpose.
All profits from these final shows will be donated to 12 different cancer charities. The list of beneficiaries is comprehensive, aiming to support research and care across a wide spectrum of the disease.
The charities are:
- Children with Cancer UK
- Teenage Cancer Trust
- Kidney Cancer UK
- Blood Cancer UK
- Bowel Cancer UK
- Prostate Cancer UK
- DKMS
- Ovarian Cancer Action
- Pancreatic Cancer UK
- Anthony Nolan
- The Brain Tumour Charity
- Breast Cancer UK
Speaking on The One Show, Kay emphasised the universal impact of these causes, stating, "Unfortunately, everybody knows someone who's been affected on that list, and I just hope people support it. Come to the shows, that's why I'm here. You don't even have to like me, it goes beyond that. This is about supporting those charities."
Back on Radio 2, Kay was firm that this is the definitive end of the road for this particular tour, joking that he wouldn't be doing an "Elton John or Torvill and Dean" by announcing endless retirements. "These really are the last dates," he insisted, before quipping about the famous ice-skating duo, "oh I'm not that bad, they've retired about 10 times!"
Despite his personal anxieties, Kay's passion for his vocation remains undimmed. He shared with Scott Mills, "I always loved making people happy, I still do…it sounds like a cliché but it's a vocation. I knew I liked making people laugh, but there's no chance I'll ever be able to do that as a living." A humble statement from a man who has not only done it for a living but has become one of the most successful comedians in the UK.
