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'I know, I can't believe it either': Peter Kay apologises as Co-op Live arena shows cancelled AGAIN
Peter Kay has said he 'can't believe it' after his shows at Manchester's new Co-op Live arena were cancelled for a second time.
The Bolton comedian was due to officially open the landmark entertainment venue on Tuesday, April 22. He was also due to perform at the 23,500-capacity music venue in Eastlands on Wednesday.
But both shows were cancelled and rescheduled to next week as safety tests continued. Now, it has been announced that the shows next week - on April 29 and April 30 - will have to be cancelled again.
READ NEXT: Peter Kay's Co-op Live gigs cancelled AGAIN with The Black Keys concert also postponed
Co-op Live bosses today confirmed that the venue will not open as planned this weekend. Peter Kay initially said he was 'truly gutted' when his original shows had to be rescheduled.
Today, he said he 'can't believe' they have had to be rescheduled again as he apologised to his fans. He added that it was 'very disappointing' but that 'safety is important'.
In a statement posted on X, he said: "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 be rescheduled to are as follows: Mon 29th April to Thurs 23rd May, Tues 30th April to Friday 24th May.
"Tickets will be transferred, or refunds given if the new dates aren't suitable. It's very disappointing but your safety is important, and I won't compromise that."
Confirming the rescheduling to Manchester Evening News, Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group, who own the venue, said: "We continue to work with the city, police, fire, council, live safety and there are still systems that we either are working on or had to test in particular. So in an abundance of extra caution, we're making sure that we can reschedule again."
The Black Keys were due to play at the new venue tomorrow (Saturday, April 26), but will now play on Wednesday, May 15. Last night, Co-op Live's general manager, Gary Roden, spectacularly quit after 12 months in the job.
The original delay to opening was due to work not yet being complete on the Eastlands venue, which sits opposite the Manchester City Football ground. On Monday morning, the council's building control was yet to sign off on the building - an issue that persisted throughout the week.
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