Peter Kay has cancelled his UK tour due to 'unforeseen circumstances'.

Kay announced his live comeback last month - his first live tour in eight years - selling out 22 nights at Manchester Arena across 2018 and 2019.

Within the first few hours of the announcement of his UK stand up tour in eight years, the news was the top Google trend in the UK and was top three on Twitter.

He was set to perform more than 100 shows around the country, starting in Birmingham in April 2018 and ending at London’s O2 in June 2019.

Kay has also cancelled any other upcoming live committments.

In a statement, he said: "My sincerest apologies. The decision has not been taken lightly and I'm sure you'll understand my family must always come first.

"I've always endeavoured to protect my family's privacy from the media. I hope that the media and the public will continue to respect our privacy at this time.

Once again, I'm very sorry."

Peter Kay on Children In Need

His 2010 The Tour That Doesn’t Tour Tour … Now On Tour, made the Guinness Book of World Records as the biggest selling comedy tour of all time, playing to more than 1.2 million people over 112 shows.

The former Manchester Arena steward has played a total of 40 at the venue overall.

The ticket sales had helped Manchester Arena generate huge revenues at the end of its most challenging year. The venue was closed for almost four months after the terror attack on May 22.

Last month, Kay also announced that his popular sitcom Car Share would return.

Peter Kay and Sian Gibson in Car Share

Viewers were dismayed when the second series of the BBC comedy starring Peter Kay and Sian Gibson ended with their characters John and Kayleigh apparently parting forever.

But Kay admitted there would be a new unscripted episode and a series finale.

A special finale episode was scheduled for broadcast next year - revealing just what happens next to John and Kayleigh.

He said: “We were completely overwhelmed by the response and even though we've no plans to write a third series we knew we couldn't end the story there.”

Peter Kay's cancelled Leeds Arena dates

2018

October 2/3/6/7/8/11/12/13

Manchester Arena dates:

2018

June 4/5/6/9/10/13/14/15/19/20/23/24/25/28/29/30

2019

May 4/5/6/9/10/11

How to get a refund on Peter Kay tour tickets

Customers for Peter Kay's Live Arena tour and Dance for Life shows will be refunded from their original point of purchase and any specific ticket queries should be directed to them.

As Dance for Life is a charity event, ticket holders may still wish to donate to www.cancerresearch.org.uk