Comedian Peter Kay revisited a memorable antic by interrupting a live BBC weather report, 15 years after a similar prank on the late broadcaster Dianne Oxberry. The incident occurred during a broadcast of BBC North West Tonight.
As weather presenter Molly Brewer began her forecast, Kay, 53, slowly entered the frame. "We have got a yellow weather warning in force... we've got a Peter as well," Brewer quipped to viewers. Kay, who was appearing on the show to promote a fundraising gig, playfully interacted with the weather map, joking, "I'm covering Chester. I'm covering Buxton, they won't mind."
When the map indicated storms approaching the North West, Kay exclaimed, "It's chucking it down Molly! What's this? This is El Nino Molly!" Brewer responded by noting the forecast included "even more disruption than this forecast, maybe a bit more chaotic as well."
Kay then commented on the approaching rain, suggesting, "Look at that, you know what? We've had it lucky. Every morning clear blue skies and sunshine, and now? Autumn. Get your central heating on now!"
Brewer acknowledged the comedian's reference to the 2011 incident, stating, "I don't know how Dianne managed, I'm not gonna lie." In that earlier segment, Kay had crawled onto Oxberry's screen during her forecast. Oxberry, who died in 2019 at age 51 after battling cancer, had playfully warned Kay at the time that she might retaliate by appearing on his stage.
The purpose of Kay's appearance on Wednesday was to promote a one-off show at Blackpool's Opera House. The event is intended to raise funds for vital heart treatment in the United States for 19-year-old Fin Cormack of Prenton, Merseyside.
Separately, recent reports indicate that some long-serving BBC Weather presenters, including Tomasz Schafernaker and Louise Lear, are reportedly considering leaving the broadcaster due to proposed cuts to the national weather team. These changes are part of a strategic shift toward digital content, with sources suggesting a reduction in national presenter roles from 11 to 4.5. The BBC has stated plans to "make more of their much-loved local weather presenters," a move that may decrease the number of national forecasts.