Comedian Peter Kay has donated thousands to charity in memory of a Barrowford woman, who died after battling with cancer earlier this year.

This is after he sparked a friendship with Laura Nuttall in 2021, before she died this year after being diagnosed with a highly invasive type of brain cancer.

He performed two live shows in 2021 with all profits being donated to Laura’s medical bills. Money was also raised for the Brain Tumour Charity.

Last weekend, the Bolton-born comic was performing at the Manchester AO Arena when he interrupted his show to talk about Laura.

He mentioned Laura and her foundation, BeMoreLaura, and vowed to donate £2 from every ticket towards it, which is thought to be around £30,000.

Laura’s mum, Nicola, was at the show watching him. She said she was “astonished” when Peter gave Laura a mention, hailing him a “legend”.

Lancashire Telegraph: Nicola Nuttall (right) with family at a Peter Kay gigNicola Nuttall (right) with family at a Peter Kay gig (Image: PA)

Speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph, Nicola said: “Such a brilliant night watching Peter Kay in Manchester, we laughed till our faces hurt and my goodness we needed it!

“Couldn’t have been more surprised when he mentioned Laura and her foundation.

“It meant the world to us that Peter remembered Laura on the first night of his Manchester residency.

“We were astonished by his incredible generosity when he pledged to donate £2 from every ticket that night to the BeMoreLaura foundation which will help us much needed research into glioblastoma.

“Thank you, Peter. You are truly a legend.”

Lancashire Telegraph: Laura Nuttall with her mother Nicola and father MarkLaura Nuttall with her mother Nicola and father Mark (Image: PA)

Laura was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme in 2018 and spent her life raising awareness of brain cancer, completing a bucket list which included graduating from university and  meeting the Lionesses.

In March Nicola and her mum travelled to Germany for a course of electro-hyperthermia, which they hoped would extend her life.

Laura underwent her fourth round of treatment last October and the family decided to bring Christmas forward as they didn’t think she would make it to the end of December, but Laura showed her fighting spirit, making it through into the new year before finally losing her battle in May.