Last night Peter Kay’s gig descended into ‘chaos’ as the comedian was bundled off stage at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham and police arresting a 19-year-old who is still reportedly in custody
A gig goer has told of the ‘eerie’ moment comedian Peter Kay was ushered off stage after a “potential suspicious bag” was found at his concert.
Around 15,000 people in the audience were evacuated from the Utilita Arena in Birmingham around 45 minutes into the funnyman’s set on Friday night. A 19-year-old has been arrested over the incident and was still in police custody this morning. Audience member, Tom Anderson, 45, said a man rushed through the arena’s doors and into a toilet. When security got him out he shouted: “I have a bag in there.”
Tom told the Sun: “Security told the audience we’ve got to take him off of the stage. They sort of put his head down and ran off. At that point Peter looked quite scared and panicked. Peter was rushed off the stage. One of his team ran on the stage, and then another person came on.
“We were told to follow security out. It took a while for us to get out as they were only letting people out slowly to avoid a stampede. As me and my partner were leaving we spoke to one of the security guards and they said there was a terror threat.”
Miranda Richardson, 52, a pub landlady from Northampton, who attended Peter Kay’s gig, said the comic was on stage for 45 minutes before two members of staff came on, one of whom spoke into his ear.
She said: “It was very swift. One minute (Peter Kay’s) on stage and the gig is great, then two of the event team walk on stage straight to him, quick word and he’s ushered off.
“The staff tells us due to unforeseen circumstances we all have to evacuate the arena straight away. Staff 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.”
Steve Aspinall went to the gig with his wife and told the Press Association two men came onto the stage about 45 minutes into the show.
“Two guys came on, one with a mic and headphones, one guy whispered to Peter Kay and then he and Peter Kay shot off down the side,” Mr Aspinall said. He said the audience was told to look for security guards and listen out for any announcements.
“To be honest, I thought it was part of the show at first,” Mr Aspinall, who lives in Bideford, Devon, said. “It was a strange atmosphere, eerie, just confused really (about) what was happening. But it was alright and everyone was calm and left quite quickly with no panic.”
A spokesperson for the NEC (National Exhibition Centre), which owns the venue, said: “Utilita Arena Birmingham has been evacuated as a precaution on the advice of West Midlands Police after a potential suspicious bag was found nearby.
“The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority. We can confirm everyone was safely evacuated and that the venue is secure. Ticket holders will be contacted directly in due course.”
West Midlands Police said: “We are assisting with 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 subject of a search. We will provide further updates when we can.”