Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley defended Peter Kay after the British comedian compared an audience member to her during a controversial stand-up performance at Manchester's AO Arena on February 8, 2025. The remark came as Kay ordered disruptive spectators to leave his Better Late Than Never Again! tour show. Although the woman involved said she felt humiliated, Riley insisted she was not offended and described the situation as lighthearted fun. The actress later attended Kay's performance in Leeds on March 8, where they posed together for photographs, putting speculation about a personal disagreement to rest.
What Happened at Peter Kay's Manchester Show?
Peter Kay's February 8, 2025, performance at Manchester's AO Arena was interrupted by several audience members during the comedian's stand-up routine.
One man repeatedly shouted "garlic bread", referencing one of Kay's best-known comedy catchphrases.
According to the comedian, the interruptions continued despite his attempts to respond humorously and then ignore them.
Kay eventually asked security to remove the man. Another audience member, a woman who had been shouting expressions of support for the comedian, was also instructed to leave.
As the woman was escorted out, Kay referred to her as Lisa Riley, the actress known for playing Mandy Dingle in ITV's Emmerdale.
The remark attracted criticism because some spectators interpreted the comparison as an insult about the woman's appearance or weight.
What Did Peter Kay Say About Lisa Riley?
During the incident, Kay called out "Go on, Lisa Riley" as the woman was leaving the arena.
Some audience members considered the remark derogatory, particularly because Riley has publicly discussed her previous weight and personal experiences with body image.
However, Kay rejected the suggestion that comparing someone to the actress should automatically be considered insulting.
In his subsequent statement, he explained that he thought the woman resembled Riley and questioned why that observation had been interpreted negatively.
The incident became widely discussed after audience accounts and video footage circulated online.
Lisa Riley Says She Was Not Offended by the Joke
Riley responded publicly through Instagram shortly after reports of the incident emerged.
On February 10, 2025, she shared a lighthearted message encouraging people to laugh rather than take the situation too seriously.
The following day, she made her position even clearer, asking people to stop treating the remark as a personal controversy.
"Please draw a line under this now, I am not offended, never was offended," she wrote.
Riley also expressed affection for Kay and said that laughter remained her favorite medicine.
Her response contradicted suggestions that the comedian had caused a dispute with the actress herself.
Why Did Peter Kay Remove the Audience Members?
Kay defended his decision in a statement issued on February 11, 2025.
He explained that audience interruptions had continued into the second half of the performance, making it difficult to deliver his material.
According to Kay, he asked spectators near the disruptive audience members whether the noise was affecting their experience.
He said approximately 40 people raised their hands to indicate that they were being disturbed.
Kay argued that he had a responsibility to protect the experience of the wider audience, who had paid to attend the show.
He also stated that the removals were only the second and third occasions on which he had asked audience members to leave during 114 performances on the tour.
His explanation received mixed reactions, with some fans defending his decision and others criticizing how the situation was handled.
Ejected Fan Myar Curran Says She Felt Humiliated
The woman compared to Riley was identified as Myar Curran.
Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain on February 14, 2025, Curran said she felt embarrassed and humiliated by the incident.
She disputed claims that her behavior had been aggressive or abusive and maintained that she had simply been expressing support for the comedian.
Curran also denied being drunk and said she believed Kay's response had been excessive.
She explained that she did not want an apology from the comedian but would not attend another of his performances.
Her reaction highlighted an important distinction: Riley was comfortable with the comparison, but the woman who was publicly addressed during the show did not share that view.
Audience Reaction to Peter Kay's Heckler Incident
The incident divided spectators and social media users.
Some defended Kay, arguing that repeated interruptions can undermine a live comedy performance and affect thousands of paying customers.
Others believed the comedian's language and treatment of the spectators were unnecessarily confrontational.
The Guardian noted that the controversy raised broader questions about how comedians handle hecklers and whether audience participation should be encouraged or restricted during live performances.
Although crowd interaction has long been part of stand-up comedy, performers and audiences may have different expectations about what constitutes acceptable participation.
Lisa Riley and Peter Kay Reunite in March 2025
On March 8, 2025, Riley attended Kay's performance at the First Direct Arena in Leeds.
She was accompanied by friends and later shared photographs of herself smiling alongside the comedian.
In an Instagram post published the following morning, Riley thanked Kay for the evening and enthusiastically praised the show.
She said the performance had made her and her companions laugh throughout the night and that they continued repeating the jokes afterward.
The reunion received coverage from ITV News, NME and The Independent.
Her attendance and positive comments provided further evidence that the February incident had not created a lasting personal disagreement between Riley and Kay.
Who Is Lisa Riley?
Lisa Riley is an English actress and television presenter best known for portraying Mandy Dingle in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.
Born on July 13, 1976, in Bury, Greater Manchester, she became a familiar face on British television during the 1990s.
She played Mandy Dingle from 1995 to 2001 before returning to the series in 2019.
Riley also presented the television comedy program You've Been Framed! and competed in Strictly Come Dancing in 2012.
Outside acting, she has spoken openly about body image and her significant weight loss.
Her public response to Kay's remark reflected her stated preference for humor and her wish not to become involved in a dispute over the comparison.
Who Is Peter Kay?
Peter Kay is an English comedian, actor and writer known for his observational humor and television comedy projects.
Born on July 2, 1973, in Bolton, Greater Manchester, he became widely recognized through stand-up performances and shows including Phoenix Nights and Car Share.
His Better Late Than Never Again! tour began in December 2022 after an extended absence from major live stand-up performances.
The tour attracted large audiences across the United Kingdom and continued through multiple years.
Peter Kay and Lisa Riley Controversy Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| February 8, 2025 | Kay removes audience members during his Manchester performance and compares Myar Curran to Lisa Riley. |
| February 10, 2025 | Riley shares a lighthearted Instagram response. |
| February 11, 2025 | Riley states she is not offended, while Kay explains his decision to remove the spectators. |
| February 14, 2025 | Curran tells Good Morning Britain that she felt humiliated. |
| March 8, 2025 | Riley attends Kay's Leeds performance and meets him afterward. |
| March 9–10, 2025 | Riley's photographs and positive comments about the comedian receive national media coverage. |
Did Lisa Riley and Peter Kay Have a Falling Out?
No publicly documented falling out occurred between Lisa Riley and Peter Kay following the February 2025 incident.
Riley consistently rejected suggestions that she had been insulted by the comedian's remark.
Her appearance at Kay's Leeds show and their friendly photographs in March further supported that position.
As of November 2026, no subsequent verified development reviewed for this article establishes a personal dispute between them.
Conclusion
Lisa Riley responded positively to Peter Kay's controversial stage joke after he compared an audience member to her during his Manchester performance on February 8, 2025.
While Riley insisted she was not offended, the woman involved, Myar Curran, said Kay's reaction had left her feeling humiliated.
Kay defended removing the audience members, arguing that their interruptions had disrupted the show for other paying spectators.
The controversy did not result in a public falling out between Kay and Riley. On March 8, 2025, the actress attended his Leeds performance and shared photographs and positive comments afterward.
The incident remains an example of how stand-up comedy, audience behavior and personal remarks can generate very different reactions among the people involved.