Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
John Bishop Halts Show to Eject “Aggressive” Audience Members
Comedian John Bishop halted his performance at the Princess Theatre in Torquay last Thursday, removing two audience members for allegedly exhibiting disruptive behaviour. The 58-year-old was in the midst of his “Back At It” tour when he addressed a man and a woman in the front row who were reportedly talking incessantly throughout his set. According to eyewitness accounts, the award-winning entertainer repeatedly requested the pair to be quiet before his patience wore thin, ultimately asking them to leave the venue.
Front Row Disruption Leads to Ejection
Video footage from the event captured Bishop telling the couple, “This is a live show,” before gesturing to the rest of the audience and stating, “See him, see her, they have as much right as you to enjoy the show.” Reports indicate the male audience member responded with an “aggressive” gesture towards the comic prior to being escorted out of the theatre by security personnel.
Security Intervention and Audience Reaction
The footage continues, showing the female audience member standing up and subsequently being escorted out by security as well. Bishop then exclaimed, “See you then,” as the remaining audience members applauded the action.
Eyewitness Account
An attendee recounted the incident, stating: “John cautioned a couple in the front row multiple times to stop talking during the performance. Following the intermission, they persisted, leading John to request their departure.”
Escalation and Removal Details
The onlooker further detailed the events:
- “The man then stood up and gestured towards John in a threatening manner, as if he intended to go onto the stage.”
- “Security intervened promptly, seizing him by his shirt cuff and swiftly removing him through two fire doors.”
- “My recording captured the aftermath, where John subsequently requested the removal of the man’s wife and, shortly after, two of their companions were also ejected.”
Social Media Reactions and Similar Incidents
Online reactions to the incident have largely been supportive of Bishop’s handling of the situation. Social media users praised the comedian’s response, with one commenting, “I’m not a fan of John Bishop’s comedy, but he comes across as a decent bloke.”
Another user echoed this sentiment, stating, “There’s always one; Good lad John for putting them in their place, you are brilliant,” while a third questioned, “Well done John; Why do people do this?”
Prior Heckler Ejections
This event follows a similar incident in February when fellow comedian Peter Kay ejected hecklers from his Manchester show. Phillip Peters, 54, claimed he was “treated like a terrorist” by security after shouting “garlic bread” during Kay’s performance. In a separate instance at the same show, Myar Curran, 25, was also removed for shouting “we love you Peter,” with Kay humorously comparing her to actress Lisa Riley as she was ejected.
Adding to the trend of comedians addressing disruptive audience members, Jimmy Carr also had a fan removed from his gig just weeks prior after they reportedly disturbed other attendees to the point of threatening to leave.