Morecambe Roy Chubby Brown gig cancelled after petition launched

This comes after a petition circulated calling for the performance to be axed, labelling the veteran comic as "homophobic".

The gig was meant to take place at The Platform, in Marine Road Central, Morecambe, on August 19.

However, Lancaster Council has today announced the cancellation “following concerns raised by the community”.

Ticket holders will be offered a full refund.

Mark Davies, chief executive of Lancaster City Council, said: “Following concerns raised by our community, Lancaster City Council has taken the decision to cancel the appearance of Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown at the Platform in Morecambe this August.

“We understand this decision will disappoint some people, but we are proud to be a fair, diverse and inclusive organisation and do not believe Mr Brown’s shows are compatible with these values.

“All ticket holders will be contacted and offered a full refund.”

Recently, a petition was launched asking Roy to be ‘banned’ from performing at The Platform.

A change.org petition calling for the Roy 'Chubby' Brown gig to be cancelled

The petition says: “He is infamous for his insulting comedy. Parts of his act are outwardly racist, homophobic, and misogynistic.

“Allowing him to perform when many residents are from communities that his humour denigrates is wholly unacceptable and morally bankrupt. 

“We are calling the council to ban the performance immediately, and ban any future performances

“We say no to racism, homophobia, and misogyny.”

At the time of writing the petition has 59 signatures.

Posting to the comedian's Facebook page, Roy’s tour manager Ritchie Hoyle said: “I feel like I’m playing the same record over and over again! so I will make this brief.

“We had a call from The Platform in Morecambe this morning informing us that the council in their wisdom have listened to 59 people who signed a so called petition against Chubby performing in august at The Platform.

“Yet again ignoring the thousands who support Chubby’s right to perform.

“They have decided on your behalf that the Chubby show in Morecambe in August can no longer go ahead and has to be cancelled.

“If you need explanations as to why they have taken this ridiculous action please direct your questions to the council.

“Only they have the answers apparently, we didn’t get an explanation just a cancellation call.

“Cancellation/snowflake/woke culture wins again, I’m afraid.”

In the wake of the cancellation some people have reacted with outrage.

Tracy Davies said: “It’s simple if you don’t like him don’t go don’t spoil it for everyone who wants to see him.”

Sarah Cronin said: “I think this is discrimination as they let other people perform there.

“This is way out of hand. Roy keep being you and don't change. So sorry you have to deal with this.”

“This is so wrong, what has happened to freedom of choice?” said another.

“Nobody is forced to watch him. If you don’t like his act then don’t buy a ticket it’s as simple as that.”

However, others are against the comedian and are in favour of the cancellation.

One person said: “There is no place for racist, homophobic and misogynistic comments, passed off as supposed ‘humour’.

“We should not be giving anyone the space for this.”

“I do understand people’s concern about ‘cancel culture’ and people should be allowed to say things even if they are offensive,” said another.

“However being racist and / or sexist or homophobic etc should never be acceptable.”

It's not the first time one of Roy’s gigs has been cancelled; Sheffield City Trust cancelled one of his shows in 2021 and more than 32,000 people signing a petition to get the decision reversed.

• READ MORE: Colne: Outrage as Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown gig is cancelled

Earlier this year, his gig at the The Muni Theatre in Colne was also cancelled.

Roy’s management has been approached for an official comment.