Peter Kay show suspended after crowd evacuated over suspicious bag

Entertainment
2 May 2026 • 3:22 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

Peter Kay show suspended after crowd evacuated over suspicious bag

Audience members at a Peter Kay show were left confused as they were asked to evacuate after the show was suspended over reports of a “suspicious bag”.

Witnesses said the comedian was taken off stage by security just 45 minutes into his show at the Utilita Arena Birmingham on Friday.

A 19-year-old man was arrested and the area was searched as a precaution, West Midlands Police said.

Footage shows the moment the crowd was told the show is over and that they would need to leave the venue. “What?,” questions one spectator as the house lights flood the arena.