Bomb hoax arrest after Peter Kay show evacuated

A 19 year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence after comedian Peter Kay was rushed off stage and his audience evacuated from the venue on Friday.

The comedian was about 45 minutes into his set at Birmingham's Utilita Arena when it was cut short as police investigated a "potential suspicious bag".

Initially, people in the audience thought the incident was part of the show, before the lights went up and security staff ushered them out.

On Saturday, West Midlands Police said the man remained in custody and no items of a suspicious nature were found at the venue.

"We're grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding. As always our priority is the safety of the public," a spokesperson for the force added.

Steve Aspinall was in the audience having taken the day off work and driven with his wife, Sue, all the way from Bideford in Devon to see Kay perform.

He told BBC News afterwards that two men had come on to the stage.

"One was wearing headphones and a microphone and the other whispered in his ear and rushed him off the stage," he said.

"We were told that due to unforeseen circumstances the gig could not carry on and to listen to announcements.

"At first, me and many others thought it was part of the show but then the lights came up and everyone started filing out.

"Because it's this day and age, I did say to my wife, I don't know if it's a bomb threat but the fact they didn't say anything meant no-one panicked."

Another attendee, Northampton pub landlady Miranda Richardson, said staff had told the crowd "due to unforeseen circumstances we all have to evacuate the arena straight away".

She told PA Media that staff had "helped get people out and it was calm and swift".

"We heard very quickly someone had claimed a bag had been left somewhere. No messing, it was just all out."

Videos shared on social media showed crowds at the 15,000 capacity venue heading for the exits.

A number of police cars and riot vans could be seen flocking to the area.

"The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority", the venue said in a post on X.

"Ticket holders will be contacted directly in due course," it added.

Kay is due to perform at the arena again at 20:00Saturday.

It is part of the performer's "Better Late Than Never" national tour which will see all profits donated to 12 leading cancer charities.

Kay is also due to perform shows at Belfast, Liverpool, Sheffield and Leeds.

On Thursday, the UK's terror threat level was lifted from "substantial" to "severe" for the first time in more than four years, following the stabbing of two Jewish men in London's Golders Green on Wednesday.

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