Comedian Peter Kay has been ‘bundled off stage’ after his gig at a Birmingham arena was abruptly halted after 45 minutes and fans were evacuated.
Police said a 19-year-old boy is being held after a ‘suspicious’ bag was found.
Peter Kay was performing at Utilita Arena in Birmingham tonight as part of his ‘Better Late Than Never’ tour, when shortly into the show the crowd was asked to leave and he was taken off stage.
Birmingham Police said in a statement: ‘We are carrying out an evacuation at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham after a potential suspicious bag was found.
‘A 19-year-old man is in custody and as a precaution the site is currently the subject of a search.
‘We will provide further updates when we can.’
A video shared to social media showed the moment an announcer went on stage and asked people to leave.
The man said: ‘Ladies and gentleman, due to unforeseen circumstances, we are going to have to stop the show.
Pictured: the crowd evacuating at Peter Kay’s show tonight in Birmingham’s Utilita Arena
The comedian was only 45 minutes into the performance, part of his ‘Better Late Than Never’ tour, when he was bundled off stage
Birmingham Police confirmed that a 19-year-old boy was being held after a potential suspicious bag was found
‘So, we’re going to put the house lights up and can you please follow the instructions given to you from the house staff, stewards and security. Thank you.’
Members of the audience can then be heard saying: ‘What? Is this a joke?’, in the confusion that follows.
The Birmingham arena is one of the UK’s largest indoor arenas and has a capacity of 15,800 spectators.
This is a breaking news story, more to follow.