Peter Kay, the beloved British comedian, has found himself in the spotlight for more than just his humor recently. Following his Manchester gig on Saturday, Kay faced backlash after removing three hecklers from the show. The incident has sparked a heated debate among fans and critics alike, with some defending Kay’s actions and others expressing disappointment and even outrage. The comedian, known for his wholesome and family-friendly comedy style, has now broken his social media silence to address the controversy, explaining that the hecklers had repeatedly disrupted the show, making it unfair for the majority of the audience who had paid to enjoy the performance.
At the center of the controversy is Philip Peters, a 54-year-old man who attended the show with his 26-year-old son. Peters claims that his only offense was shouting "garlic bread," a phrase that has become a catchphrase for Kay and is often associated with his comedy. Initially, Peters says, his shout even received a positive response from Kay, who had his cameramen zoom in on the audience member and his son. However, by the second half of the show, Kay had apparently had enough. Peters alleges that security guards violently escorted him and his son out of the arena, leaving him with bruises and a deep sense of disgust. He has since demanded an apology from Kay, stating that he was treated "like a terrorist" for simply shouting a phrase that he believed was harmless and even complimentary to the comedian.
Kay, however, has defended his decision to remove the hecklers. In a statement provided to ITV’s Good Morning Britain (GMB), he emphasized that the audience members in question had caused "repeated interruption" and that there comes a point where it is "no longer fair" to the rest of the audience. He also addressed the specific incident involving a woman who was removed after shouting, "We love you, Peter!" Kay had compared the woman to Emmerdale actress Lisa Riley, a joke that some audience members found offensive. Kay insists that he did not intend to insult Riley, saying, "She did look remarkably like Lisa Riley, I didn’t realize that was an insult." Riley herself has since come to Kay’s defense, posting on Instagram that she was not offended and that the joke was simply "a laugh."
The incident has divided Kay’s fans, with some applauding his decision to stand firm against disruptive audience members and others expressing disappointment at what they perceived as an overly harsh and even cruel response. Jo Llewellyn, an audience member seated near the hecklers, corroborated Kay’s account, stating that the men were "extremely drunk" and had been disrupting the show throughout the night. She claimed that their removal was met with loud cheers from those around them, adding that the hecklers had "absolutely deserved" to be removed. On the other hand, some fans who were seated farther away from the disruptive individuals expressed discomfort with Kay’s handling of the situation, describing it as "nasty and bitter."
The controversy has also raised questions about the nature of comedy and audience etiquette. Some fans have criticized Kay for what they saw as a departure from his usual wholesome and inclusive style, with one audience member expressing disappointment at the show’s crude humor and Kay’s apparent bad mood throughout the performance. Others have defended Kay, arguing that he had every right to protect the integrity of his show and ensure that the majority of the audience could enjoy it without disruption. As one fan noted, "Peter Kay did ask if the people shouting were annoying the rest of the audience first, upon which the audience said that the people were." This fan, and many others, believe that Kay’s actions were justified and that the hecklers had crossed a line.
In the end, the incident has sparked a broader conversation about the balance between humor and respect in live performances. While some fans have rallied around Kay, others have expressed concern that his actions may have tarnished his reputation as a kind and down-to-earth comedian. As the debate continues, one thing is clear: Peter Kay’s Manchester gig has left a lasting impression, though not entirely for the reasons he may have hoped. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges comedians face in navigating the complexities of live audiences and the fine line between humor and offense.
