Peter Kay fans 'gutted' as 'unprecedented' demand for tickets causes site crashes

Peter Kay fans said they were "gutted" after they struggled to get tickets to his new shows amid "unprecedented" demand.

The Phoenix Nights and Car Share star has been largely out of the spotlight since December 2017, when he cancelled a planned tour due to “unforeseen family circumstances”.

He has now announced a comeback comedy tour and has also lined up a monthly residency at the O2.

Read more: Peter Kay announces first stand-up tour in 12 years

Tickets go on general sale on Saturday (12 November) but pre-sale tickets were made available earlier.

However, demand was so high that many fans struggled to snap any up, saying on Twitter that they were hit with crashes.

"It’s not working - gutted!" one tweeted. "O2 webpage keeps crashing and priority page doesn’t even load."

"Oh no just keeps crashing! Gosh would have loved to see Peter live x," said another.

One posted: "I’m chucking the towel in, and doing so in an angry manner. Fuming."

"I know there are real problems in the world but, in my little bubble - today, the crashing of O2 Priority is up there with the worst of them," said one.

Another disappointed fan wrote: "Looks like no @peterkay_co_uk tickets for me, heartbroken."

One said if they didn't manage to get tickets at the weekend they would have "a meltdown".

O2 and Virgin both tweeted: "We’re seeing unprecedented demand for Peter Kay tickets & we know a lot of you can’t access Priority. Sorry, we’re working on it.

"Please be patient; this is by far the highest demand we’ve ever seen for Priority Tickets in 15 years. The presale lasts for 48h so keep checking."

Three tweeted: "We’re seeing a huge demand for Peter Kay tickets & we're aware many of you can’t access the Three+ app this morning.

"We're working on it as fast as we can!"

Kay hasn’t been seen much since 2017 when he cancelled all of his work commitments – including the tour - due to “unforeseen family circumstances”.

Read more: Peter Kay gets Car Share fans' hopes up as he says he might revive 'favourite series'

Offering his “sincerest apologies” he told his fans at the time: “This decision has not been taken lightly and I'm sure you'll understand my family must always come first.”

Watch: Peter Kay announces first live stand-up tour in 12 years