Teenager arrested after Peter Kay’s gig evacuated over ‘bomb hoax’

Peter Kay’s gig ended abruptly after a bomb scare, with the comedian and audience rushed to safety in Birmingham.

The 52-year-old comic was ushered off stage mid-performance and the audience evacuated due to a ‘potential suspicious bag’ being found.

But police have confirmed no suspicious items were discovered after a search.

Now a 19-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax. He remains in custody as enquiries continue, West Midlands Police said.

Eyewitnesses said that two members of staff suddenly came onto the stage around 45 minutes into the show at the Utilita Arena yesterday evening.

They then whispered into Kay’s ear and escorted him away.

Despite the turn of events, there was no panic among the crowds, one Kay fan said.

It said the arena in Birmingham was being searched as a precaution following the potentially suspicious bag.

Steve Aspinall, who was at the gig with his wife, told PA: ‘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.’

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,’ Steve, 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.’

Miranda Richardson, 52, a pub landlady from Northampton, who was at the gig, said everything happened swiftly.

She said: ‘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.’

A spokesperson for the National Exhibition center (NEC), which owns the venue, said the evacuation took place as a precaution on the advice of the police.

The venue was secured and ticket holders will be contacted directly in due course, they said.

West Midlands Police said in its latest statement this morning: ‘Following searches of the Utilita Arena last night, no items of a suspicious nature were found.

‘A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offense and remains in custody this morning as our inquiries continue.

‘We’re grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding. As always, our priority is the safety of the public.’

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