In response to a council’s decision to cancel his program after a petition against him garnered just 59 signatures, Roy “Chubby” Brown lashed out against “woke culture.”
In August of this year, the contentious 77-year-old comedian was scheduled to appear at a facility managed by Lancaster City Council in Morecambe, Lancashire.
However, the organizers formally cancelled the event after residents started the petition, accusing Brown of being “racist, homophobic, and sexist.”
Ritchie Hoyle, Mr. Brown’s tour manager, then vented his annoyance on the comedian’s Facebook page, criticizing the “snowflake/woke society.”
He said: “We received a call this morning from The Platform in Morecambe notifying us that the council, in their wisdom, had listened to 59 persons who signed a so-called petition against Chubby playing in August at The Platform.
Ignoring the tens of thousands of people that support Chubby’s right to perform yet again.
They have determined on your behalf that the August Chubby performance in Morecambe must be canceled due to unforeseen circumstances.
“Please address your inquiries to the council if you want justifications for their ludicrous actions.
‘Only they have the answers apparently, we didn’t get an explanation just a cancellation call. Cancellation/snowflake/woke culture wins again, I’m afraid.’
Mr Brown had been booked to play at the venue in Morecambe on August 19, which is run by Lancaster City Council.
But bosses changed their minds after the petition, calling for him to be banned, began to circulate on the internet.
It stated: ‘Parts of his act are outwardly racist, homophobic, and misogynistic.
‘Allowing him to perform when many residents are from communities that his humour denigrates is wholly unacceptable and morally bankrupt.
‘We are calling the council to ban the performance immediately, and ban any future performances
‘We say no to racism, homophobia, and misogyny.’
In response to this, Mark Davies, chief executive of Lancaster City Council, said his team had decided the Mr Brown’s show wasn’t ‘compatible’ with its values.
He said: ‘Following concerns raised by our community, Lancaster City Council has taken the decision to cancel the appearance of Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown at the Platform in Morecambe this August.
‘We understand this decision will disappoint some people, but we are proud to be a fair, diverse and inclusive organisation and do not believe Mr Brown’s shows are compatible with these values.
‘All ticket holders will be contacted and offered a full refund.’
But when asked why it had booked the comedian to perform in the first place, the Council declined to comment.
The decision to cancel Mr Brown sparked a backlash with many outraged at the Council, including some residents who didn’t personally enjoy Mr Brown’s brand of comedy.
One resident said: ‘I find him offensive so wouldn’t go but that’s my choice, everybody should have their right to choose. Totally wrong decision.’
Another said: ‘You said it yourself Mark Davies, Lancaster City Council should be fair, diverse and inclusive – surely this includes people who CHOSE to purchase tickets for the show?!
‘Absolutely ridiculous to cancel – if you don’t want to see it don’t buy a ticket, simple!!’
Another added: ‘Disgraceful decision by Mark Davies.
‘I’m no fan of Chubby Brown, I can take him or leave him to be honest but this is a great way to create division and resentment.’
It’s not the first time the 77-year-old comedian has been cancelled in Lancashire.
Earlier this year, his show at the The Muni Theatre in Colne was cancelled by Pendle Council.
Its chief executive Rose Rouse said she had made the decision to axe the comedian ‘in the best interests of our community.’
The polarising comic has had several tour dates cancelled in recent years in locations including Sheffield and Middlesbrough.
After his Sheffield concert was postponed earlier this year, fans were furious and started a petition to get the concert held, which attracted more than 20,000 signatures.
Additionally, supporters gathered in front of the municipal hall to oppose the choice.
Following the cancellation of his performance, Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough MP Gill Furniss praised the decision, calling it the “proper thing to do.”
“I have written to the CEO of the Sheffield City Trust and the Leader of Sheffield Council to express my appreciation for the decision to postpone the Roy Chubby Brown concert at City Hall,” she stated.
‘This is the right thing to do. There is no place for any hate filled performance in our diverse and welcoming city.’