The Big Night In viewers express concern over Peter Kay after he 'looks unwell'

Viewers have expressed concerns Peter Kay is 'not well' after his appearance on the BBC's Big Night In coronavirus fundraiser.  

The comedian, 46, appeared on the BBC One show in a pre-recorded clip from his Bolton home to introduce a new version of his classic Comic Relief track Is This The Way to Amarillo. But fans claimed he looked 'far from 100 per cent', despite his colourful shirt, sunhat and sunglasses. 

Kay cancelled a tour in 2017 and has rarely been seen in public since. He was last on TV in 2018 when he appeared in two special episodes of Car Share. 

Tonight's programme was organised by the BBC, Children In Need and Comic Relief to lift the nation's spirits and raise money for those hardest hit by the COVID-19 outbreak. 

The three-hour show saw £27million raised for NHS and other charities, with the Government offering to match every pound donated by members of the public.  

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Viewers have expressed concerns Peter Kay is 'not well' after his appearance on the BBC's The Big Night In coronavirus fundraiser tonight (pictured from his Bolton home) 

Viewers took to Twitter to share their concerns over the 46-year-old comedian 

One Twitter user said of his first TV appearance in two years: 'Loved seeing @peterkay_co_uk on #BigNightIn but very concerned he didn't look or sound 'right' hope he's ok.'

Someone else wrote: 'Peter Kay didn't look or sound well on the Tele then didn't he. Sad to see! #BigNightIn'

Another fan commented: 'Great to see Peter Kay, although the legend is obviously far from 100%

'Whatever he's battling,I and I'm sure the rest of the country wish him to get well very soon! God bless.' 

Someone else asked: 'Anyone else worried about Peter Kay. Great to see him, but something didn't seem right #BigNightIn.' 

Introducing the video, Kay said: 'Hello everybody. I'm just sitting outside enjoying the rather clement weather, which is rare for Bolton.

Kay is pictured 15 years ago when he first mimed a version of Is This The Way to Amarillo by Tony Christie for Comic Relief 

'Fifteen years ago I did a sketch for Comic Relief. I never imagined that it would go down so well and make everybody happy, and I thought what a perfect time to recreate it again, so I've asked a lot of you to film yourself and send it in'. 

He ended his message by saying 'take care and enjoy yourselves lots of love to you all'. 

The Big Night in then showed people up and down the country joining in and miming to the Tony Christie song, which was re-released 15 years ago by Kay to raise money for Comic Relief.

The Amarillo video featured families at home, shop workers, firemen and women and health care workers all dancing to the music - interspersed with clips of the comedian from the original music clip.  

The Big Night In also saw Stephen Fry reprise his iconic role as Blackadder's Lord Melchett. His character took a Zoom call with Prince William just before 8pm when the nation went out to clap the NHS. 

Melchett paced around his office impatiently waiting for the Duke to call in, quipping: 'I thought Germans were meant to be punctual'. 

Stephen Fry (pictured in the top right hand corner of the laptop screen) reprised his role as Melchett in Blackadder to take a Zoom call with Prince William (main) 

Stephen Fry (left) is pictured in his Blackadder role as Melchett on a Zoom call to Prince William (right)

The Duke of Cambridge then joined wife Kate and children George, Charlotte and Louis to clap for the NHS when the clock struck 8pm

Apologising, William said Zoom was 'complicated stuff', later revealing homeschooling Prince George, Prince Louis and Princess Charlotte is proving a 'bit of a nightmare' in lockdown. 

The Duke said he is struggling to cope with not being able to watch EastEnders, but refused the Blackadder star's recommendation of trying Netflix sensation Tiger King instead, adding: 'I tend to avoid shows about royalty.'  

As their virtual exchange drew to a close, Melchett reminded William to go out and clap for the NHS at 8pm. The show then cut to the Cambridges clapping on their doorstep as part of the weekly show of gratitude for health and social care workers. 

William's hilarious cameo alongside Stephen Fry was filmed at his Norfolk home, Anmer Hall, and kept under wraps until it aired, with only a handful of BBC staff and royal aides allowed in the loop.

The last time a member of the Royal Family appeared in a television skit was when the Queen memorably took part in a parachuting sketch with James Bond actor Daniel Craig for the opening of the London 2012 Olympics.

The Prince is understood to have been approached only days ago and did not hesitate to agree when asked if he would take part – although it is known he was slightly concerned about his lack of acting experience. 

While his father Prince Charles and uncle Prince Edward were keen thespians in their youth, William has never really trodden the boards. 

The Duke is, however, a big fan of Blackadder - the comedy romp through history that also starred Rowan Atkinson and Sir Tony Robinson - and was keen to take part in the sketch when asked by the BBC.

Love Actually director Richard Curtis, who co-wrote the hit series with Ben Elton, penned the pre-recorded skit that ran for almost two minutes.

Pointing out there was just one minute to go until the weekly 8pm 'Clap for carers', William said: 'Thanks very much, I'll go and get the family together.'

Joking he wasn't wearing any trousers, he added: 'Let me just find my socks. And my shoes. And my trousers.' 

William's comedy turn seemed to go down well, with social media users rushing to praise him.

'It was brilliant and what a great bonus to get the whole family!' one said immediately afterwards.

Another commented: 'Did not expect that! What a good sport.' Others described the prince's appearance as 'hilarious'.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall were also featured on the show in a video of them clapping for carers outside the front door of their Scottish home Birkhall. 

The show was presented live from The One Show studio in London by Sir Lenny Henry, Davina McCall, Zoe Ball, Matt Baker and Paddy McGuinness.   

The hosts kicked off the programme by assuring viewers they and all their crew are observing social distancing. 

Tonight's line-up included musical performances by the likes of Sam Smith, Liam Payne and Rita Ora and comedy sketches from Miranda Hart and Little Britain stars David Walliams and Matt Lucas.

Kicking off the programme at 7pm Sir Lenny said: 'It's 7 O'Clock on Thursday, or is it Sunday? Who knows anymore, I'm just glad to be wearing trousers.' 

Asked why Children In Need mascot Pudsey Bear was absent, he joked he had been 'furloughed'. 

While his co-host Davina McCall told viewers: 'Put down that banana bread, stop that online quiz, and prepare to be entertained.   

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak (pictured live from his home this evening) announced last week that the UK Treasury would match pound for pound any contributions the public raise on the show

Funds raised tonight will be split equally between BBC Children in Need and Comic Relief to provide essential support to local charities, projects and programmes across the UK to help those most in need.  

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, announced last week that the UK Treasury would match pound for pound any contributions the public raise on the show. 

He said in a clip recorded for the show: 'Hi everyone, I know these are difficult times. Look we're all worried, worried about our health, our friends our family.

'But I also think we will look back and remember that at this time of crisis that we came together as a country.

World boxing champion Anthony Joshua appeared in a Bad Education skit with Jack Whitehall

Playing his Bad Education character Alfie Wickers, Jack Whitehall asked Joshua for PE advice

David Tennant played the role of the teacher in Catherine Tate's 'Am I bothered' sketch

Catherine Tate is pictured as her iconic character Lauren in a classic 'Am I bothered' sketch 

Miranda Hart is pictured waiting for a Zoom call from her friends Stevie and Gary 

Little Britain star and Britain's Got Talent presenter David Walliams appealed to viewers 

Dawn French appeared as the Vicar of Dibley's Geraldine Granger on tonight's show 

BBC Radio 1 host Greg James is seen on tonight's Big Night In 

YouTube star Joe Suggs and his girlfriend Dianne Buswell also appeared on the show to stage a haircut live on TV 

'We were there for each other and that's what the Big Night In is all about, I am so grateful to everyone who has donated tonight and don't forget that the government has pledged to match every pound you donate so please do give generously.

'After all, what better way to mark four weeks of staying in and watching TV than well… staying in and watching TV. Enjoy the rest of the show and stay safe.'

Davina added that the first £20million of the matched money will go to the National Emergencies Trust that was launched by Prince William to help people all across the UK affected by the pandemic.

All matched funding after this amount will go to Children In and Comic Relief, she added.

The Big Night In host Sir Lenny Henry is pictured kicking off tonight's show live from London 

The show is being presented live from the One Show studio in London by Lenny Henry, Davina McCall (pictured), Matt Baker and Paddy McGuinness

Paddy McGuinness joined later in the show to help with presenting duties 

Host Matt Baker is seen beside a screen telling viewers how they can donate