Billy Connolly ends shows early because of Hecklers

3 February 2012 Last updated at 12:31

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Billy Connolly ends comedy shows early after heckles

Fans said Connolly ended shows
in Blackpool and Scarborough early
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Comedian Billy Connolly has been
criticised for ending two stand-up shows in a week early, due to hecklers.

Fans were left disappointed in Blackpool last weekend after the comic walked
off stage 20 minutes early after verbal abuse from audience members.

A few days before, he also cut short a gig in Scarborough.

A spokeswoman for Connolly declined to comment on the incidents but said the
comic's tour would continue in Llandudno, Wales, on Friday.

Fans reported the 69-year-old Scot walked out of the Blackpool gig after he
was interrupted during one of his jokes.

Ffyona McKeating, who attended the show in Blackpool, told
the Blackpool Gazette: "It was such an anti climax and I felt he should have
been used to hecklers."

Another person said: "I think he should have had consideration for the
majority instead of spoiling it because of one heckler. When he left the stage
he wasn't smiling and didn't thank the audience for attending."

A spokesman for the Blackpool Opera Theatre confirmed to the BBC: "The
performance on Saturday concluded at approximately 9.40pm which was a shorter
performance than the previous night."

The previous week, Connolly cut short his gig at the Futurist Theatre in
Scarborough after being disrupted by drunk patrons heckling and leaving their
seats during the show to go to the bar.

Paul Tye told
the Scarborough Evening News the comedian left the stage before telling his
last joke saying he seemed "clearly upset".

Another fan said: "The bar should not be open when a show is running. People
constantly got up out of their seats and it was extremely disrespectful to
Billy."

A spokesperson for the theatre was not available for comment.

The curtailed shows follow reviews which criticised Connolly's two-hour set
over his use of previously heard material.

Earlier this week, he was voted the UK's most influential stand-up comedian
of all time in a poll compiled by fellow comedians.

His current 42-date tour is due to end in Brighton in March.


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