Rick Astley cameos on Peter Kay tour

1980s popstar Rick Astley performed with Peter Kay on the first night of his standup comeback tour.

The 'Never Gonna Give You Up' singer performed a selection of Manchester hits at the MEN Arena, including tracks from The Smiths and New Order.

Kay, who is playing live shows for the first time in seven years, described Astley's cameo as "amazing", claiming that he went "down a storm".

Writing on his website, he said: "The morning after the first night before - well I'm speechless and if the rest of the tour is anything like last night it is going to be an unbelievable journey.

"I'd just like to thank everybody who came or is coming to see the show, it wouldn't be possible without you - well it would but I'd just be stood there on my own."

Kay's 'The Tour That Doesn't Tour Tour' has reportedly taken £26 million in ticket sales. He will visit venues including London's O2, the Glasgow SECC and Sheffield Arena, before finishing at back at the MEN with 10 nights in October 2011.

An early review in the Manchester Evening News claimed that "fans won't be disappointed" by the Phoenix Nights star's latest outing.