Peter Kay issues statement as live shows are cancelled for second time this week

Peter Kay has released a statement on his live shows being cancelled due to the venue not being ready.

He was meant to be performing at the Co-Op Live, but unfortunately it's not actually ready to open yet and two of his dates have been rescheduled.

A statement from the comedian released on social media read: "To everybody with tickets, my apologies once again but unfortunately the Co-Op Live still isn't ready and so, as yet, remains untested for a large-scale audience.

"Consequently, they are having to reschedule my two shows yet again (I know I can't believe it either).

"The first available dates the shows can reschedule to are as follows: Mon 29th April to Thurs 23rd May, Tues 30th April to Frid 24th May.

"Tickets will be transferred, or refunds given if new dates aren't suitable. It's very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won't compromise that."

He also shared an updated poster which declared: "One of Bolton's funniest comedians is hoping to eventually perform at Europe's biggest new arena!"

That line had the caveat 'if they actually open the place' on the poster which described Kay as 'currently now the ninth artist in the world to perform at Manchester Co-Op Live'.

It's a joke on his original poster which said he'd be the first to perform there, and the dates at the end of April which have been cancelled and moved had already shifted previously from 23 and 24 April.

Co-Op Live's general manager Gary Roden quit recently after the arena didn't open on time, meaning the shows and events pencilled in for the opening days have all been scuppered and moved back.

When open it's set to hold up to 23,500 people but the big problem is that it wasn't ready to open on time.