PETER Kay will be able to afford a lot more garlic bread after being named the nation’s richest comedian.

The Car Share and Phoenix Nights star has a £34.6million fortune, figures show.

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Bolton-born Kay, 51, is in the middle of a three- year stand-up tour.

The funnyman — famed for his garlic bread quip — returned to live work in 2022 after cancelling his 2018 tour at the last minute due to “unforeseen family circumstances”.

Records with Companies House show that in the year to March 2023 Kay’s two firms were down £1.2million on the previous year — but still left him with £34.6million.

His first tour in ten years ends in December 2025 with a sold-out stand-up gig at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena.

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Second in The Sun’s British comic rich list is Stephen Merchant, with a £26.2million fortune thanks to tours and acting work.

Merchant, who appeared in 2019’s hit movie Jojo Rabbit and BBC One’s crime comedy series The Outlaws, made £2.5million last year.

Ricky Gervais — co-creator and star of The Office — is just behind with £25.8million.

Russell Howard is at number four on the list with £10.1million, while Jack Whitehall is in fifth place with £9.9million.

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Rob Beckett, who earned £2.2million last year to push his fortune to £6million, Michael McIntyre, John Bishop and Hugh Dennis are also ranked.

Sarah Millican is the only female stand-up to appear in the top ten, at ninth with £3.2million.

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