Peter Kay has hacked another live BBC weather report, 15 years after he pulled a similar stunt on the late broadcaster Dianne Oxberry’s show.
The comedian appeared on BBC North West Tonight on Wednesday to promote a one-off fundraising appearance, but couldn’t resist a cheeky cameo during the weather report.
As Molly Brewer began her forecast, Peter, 53, slowly came into view, with the broadcaster telling viewers: ‘A yellow weather warning is in force… we have a Peter too.’
“I’m sitting here, I won’t disturb you,” Peter promised. Referring to the interactive map, he joked: “I’m covering Chester. I’ll cover Buxton, they won’t mind.’
When the map showed storms approaching the northwest, Peter shouted, “He’s throwing it down, Molly!” What is this? This is El Nino Molly!’
Molly agreed, telling viewers that the weather forecast “includes even more disruption than this forecast, perhaps a little more chaotic too.”
Peter Kay has hacked another live BBC weather report, 15 years after he pulled a similar stunt on the late broadcaster Dianne Osberry’s show
Peter joked about the upcoming rain: ‘Look, you know what? We were lucky. Clear blue skies and sunshine every morning, what now? Autumn. Now turn on your central heating!’
“I don’t know how Dianne did it, I’m not going to lie,” Molly admitted, referencing the infamous 2011 moment when the comedian interrupted Dianne Oxberry’s prediction on BBC North West Tonight.
After discussing his sell-out comedy shows, Peter got on Dianne’s screen in an attempt to scare her off, prompting the broadcaster, who died in 2019 aged 51 after being diagnosed with cancer, to warn him:
“I’ll come to one of your concerts and come on stage and just crawl in next to you.”
During Wednesday’s BBC show, Peter promoted his one-off show at Blackpool’s Opera House next month to raise money for vital heart treatments in the United States for 19-year-old Finn Cormack from Prenton, Merseyside.
Earlier this month it was reported that long-time BBC Weather presenters, including Tomasz Schafernaker and Louise Lear, are reportedly considering quitting the channel amid plans for huge budget cuts by bosses.
As part of a focus on digital content, sources claim bosses are planning to downsize their national weather team, leaving some of the most dedicated stars looking for an exit.
Tomasz, Louise and Darren Bett are thought to be considering voluntary redundancy following the changes at BBC Weather announced in August. None of them have taken up the offer yet.
The comedian appeared on BBC North West Tonight on Wednesday to promote a one-off fundraising appearance, but couldn’t resist a cheeky cameo during the weather report.
As Molly Brewer began her forecast, Peter slowly came into view, with the broadcaster telling viewers: ‘A yellow weather warning is in force… we have a Peter too’
In 2011, the comedian interrupted Dianne Oxberry’s prediction on BBC North West Tonight
Bosses said they plan to make ‘greater use of their beloved local weather presenters’, meaning a reduction in the number of forecasts from national weather presenters.
These new plans will reportedly include a reduction in the number of national weather presenter roles from 11 to 4.5.
One insider claimed the changes come as traditional weather forecasting has become ‘less relevant’, with the emphasis on digital content driven by a ‘need for more reporting than presentation’.
A source said: ‘It’s the end of an era for our weather presentations. The public wants a bit of digital and TV, including an old-fashioned forecast.’
