Peter Kay gig evacuated amid 'bomb-threat'
Peter Kay was rushed off stage and his show abruptly cancelled after a "suspicious bag" was found on Friday (01.05.26) night.
Peter Kay was rushed off stage and his show abruptly cancelled after a "suspicious bag" was found.
The Phoenix Nights star was just 45 minutes into his performance at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on Friday (01.05.26) night when the gig was halted by security and the building was evacuated before a 19-year-old man was taken into custody.
Birmingham Police said in a statement: “We are carrying out an evacuation at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham after a potential suspicious bag was found.
"A 19-year-old man is in custody and as a precaution the site is currently subject of a search. We will provide further updates when we can."
Audience member Tom Anderson, 40, told The Sun: “A man rushed through the arena’s doors and into a toilet.
“When security got him out he shouted: ‘I have a bag in there.’ He was shouting.”
The man claimed security staff told him the incident was a "terror threat".
Another audience member told how Peter's set was interrupted by two security staff, who climbed up on stage and "whispered in his ear".
Samuel Bateman added: “They told him they needed to get him off the stage – it could be heard over his mic – and he was grabbed down the stairs.
“The other staff member then told everyone to leave the building immediately.”
Onlookers described Peter as looking "scared and panicked" when he head was "pushed down" and he was "dragged" off stage.
Footage circulating online shows a man asking audience members to leave for unspecified reasons.
He said: “Ladies and gentlemen, due to unforeseen circumstances, we are going to have to stop the show, so we’ll be putting the house lights up and could you please follow the instructions given to you from the house staff, stewards and security.”
Audience members initially thought it was “part of the show”, but quickly realised “something was serious”.
And amid rumours of an "apparent bomb-scare", the arena is said to have descended into "complete panic".
And a business owner nearby told The Sun they had been told of a “severe threat warning”.
Armed police and sniffer dogs were seen arriving at the venue shortly afterwards.
A spokesperson for the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) said: "Utilita Arena Birmingham has been evacuated as a precaution on the advice of West Midlands Police after a potential suspicious bag was found nearby.
"The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority. We can confirm everyone was safely evacuated and that the venue is secure.
"Ticket holders will be contacted directly in due course."
