A performance by controversial comedian Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown in Kirkby-in-Ashfield has been cancelled by the district council.
The performer, known for his ‘blue’ adult jokes, was due to appear at the town’s Festival Hall on October 22.
But venue owner Ashfield District Council has scrapped the gig, saying it “did not wish to be associated” with Brown.
In a statement, the authority said: “We have instructed the venue’s management company, SLM, who operate the site, to cancel a booking for the performance.
“Cancelling the event has not cost the council anything, nor would it have gained financially from the event. The booking was cancelled prior to the event being put on sale.
“The council does not feel that the booking was appropriate for a council venue and not one that it wished to be associated with.”
Brown, who is now 71 and started performing in his early twenties, is known as a divisive figure in comedy with his habit for using bad language and lewd jokes.
But his stand-up act has sold millions of DVDs, videos, LPs and CDs throughout his five-decade career.
He is thought to have played to 1.5 million people on three continents.
Google Streetview: The Festival Hall in Kirkby was due to host Brown in October
The cancellation has so far prompted an angry reaction on the council’s Facebook page, with dozens of people leaving comments, nearly all in support of the Teeside comic.
Diane Blackett wrote: “Absolutely ridiculous. Shouldn’t the people decide who is suitable or not to watch on a stage? ADC are good at deciding what’s good for us common folk though ey?”
And Steve Mcgough added: “I’m not a chubby brown fan but surely it’s up to the people of Kirkby what they want to see not ADC (Ashfield destruction committee) Chubby would have packed the place.”
The council’s statement ended by adding: “Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown is quite able to perform in a non-council venue in Ashfield.”
