Peter Kay announces new book about his time out of the spotlight

Peter Kay has confirmed he is writing a new autobiography after taking a long break from the spotlight.

The popular comedian rose to fame almost three decades ago, and has since become a fan favourite after hit shows including Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy's Road To Nowhere.

The Bolton funnyman took a break from the stage in 2017, when he cancelled his UK tour due to "unforeseen family circumstances".

He returned in August 2021, for a special charity Q&A event to raise money for his friend 20-year-old Laura Nuttall, who is suffering from an aggressive brain cancer.

Now, the 48-year-old has revealed he is working on a third autobiography, whilst recording the audiobook for his first one The Sound of Laughter, which was released in 2007.

He said: "Within the first few chapters of recording, I was inspired to start to write a third book."

"I had the idea about 10 years ago. All about working in TV. From when I started doing bit parts in Coronation Street right up to Car Share."

Peter continued: "It's been a real joy recalling the memories. There's over 20 years of stories about filming series like Phoenix Nights and Max and Paddy's Road To Nowhere.

"Appearing on chat shows like Parkinson, at the Queen's Golden Jubilee and sharing letters from Ronnie Barker. We wrote to each other for years as pen pals until he passed away."

He added: "I'm very proud of it. I'll no doubt be recording that book too before you know it. I just hope people enjoy it as much as this first one."

Peter's memoir The Sound of Laughter holds the record for the biggest-selling hardback autobiography in British history.

He recorded the audiobook for Audible from home during lockdown. He said: "I could record at my own pace and that made the whole experience much more fun as I was able to drift off the subject matter and have a different view about it all these years later.

"I'd never read the book since I wrote it in 2006. It was fascinating, like reading something that somebody else had written.

"Although weirdly, even though I knew what was coming next, I'd forgotten so much of what I'd written."

In 2009, Peter released a second book called Saturday Night Peter, which also became a bestseller. In 2015, he starred in Peter Kay's Car Share, alongside Sian Gibson.

The Sound of Laughter will be available on Audible from 16th September.

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