Comedian Peter Kay was forced to leave the stage mid-performance after a suspicious bag prompted a police response and evacuation at a Birmingham venue. The incident took place at the Utilita Arena on Friday evening, approximately 45 minutes into Kay's show, when the performance was abruptly halted and the audience was asked to leave.
West Midlands Police later confirmed that the venue had been searched and a 19-year-old man was taken into custody. Arena officials stated that the building had been cleared as a precautionary measure and was later declared safe.
Initially, many in the crowd believed the interruption was part of the act before the situation became clear. Steve Aspinall, who had traveled from Devon with his wife to attend the show, described how events unfolded. "Two men came onto the stage. One was wearing headphones and a microphone, and the other whispered in his ear and rushed him off the stage," he told BBC News. He said the audience was then informed that the show could not continue. "We were told that due to unforeseen circumstances the gig could not carry on and to listen to announcements," he added.
Aspinall noted that the initial confusion quickly gave way to concern as people began leaving the arena. "At first, me and many others thought it was part of the show, but then the lights came up and everyone started filing out," he said. "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."
Videos shared on social media showed large crowds leaving the 15,000-capacity arena, while several police cars and riot vans were seen arriving at the scene. In a post on X, the venue stated: "The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority." It added that ticket holders would be contacted directly with further information.
Kay is scheduled to perform at the arena again at 20:00 on Saturday as part of his Better Late Than Never tour. The incident comes a day after the UK's terror threat level was raised from "substantial" to "severe" following a stabbing in Golders Green, north London. Police said enquiries into the Birmingham incident are ongoing.
