Peter Kay show to go ahead after bomb hoax arrest

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".

The NEC Group said Kay's show at the arena on Saturday night would go ahead as planned.

West Midlands Police said the man they arrested 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.

Ticket holders for Friday's performance would be contacted with their next steps by the outlet they originally bought their tickets from, the NEC spokesperson added.

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

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 it was a "very, very strange evening".

"Two guys come onto the side of the stage, and you think: 'Is this part of his act?' Because he said the entire time that his act isn't scripted," she told BBC 5 Live.

"They speak in his ear, one of the guys comes on the mic and just said: 'Ladies and gentleman, we're going to have to ask you all to leave due to unforeseen circumstances'. It literally was that quick."

She said following this, the lights went up and people "sat there looking at each other".

"We just got up, we were quite near an exit anyway, got out into the car park and got going," she added.

Richardson said nobody gave them any information but added she believed that was "the safest way to go".

"Hats off to the team there, because they did keep everybody safe and calm," she said.

Steve Brooks, a candidate in the Senedd elections, travelled to Birmingham from Cardiff for the show.

"Going into the venue, they were trying to move everybody in quite quickly," he said.

"When we got into the venue for the security check, my mother-in-law opened up her handbag and started slowing down anticipating a bag check, but they told her to keep moving and only stop if you were asked to."

He told the BBC that, looking around, it appeared others were having the same experience.

He added that the evacuation was "calm and swift", but there was a sense of confusion.

On its website, the Utilita Arena says: "All visitors will be searched. This is a condition of entry."

The NEC Group said West Midlands Police were satisfied with their security measures and the safety and security of customers and colleagues were their first priority.

"Our security measures include several overt and covert security measures, so whilst you may not see all operational security activity, you should be assured that it is ongoing," a spokesperson said.

"Our Evolv security system used advanced sensors and AI technology to screen everyone and their bags as they enter the arena."

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 shows are part of Kay's "Better Late Than Never" national tour which will see all profits donated to 12 leading cancer charities.

The performer 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.

The announcement was made after the stabbing of two Jewish men in London's Golders Green on Wednesday.