What was meant to be an evening filled with laughter at Peter Kay’s Manchester gig turned into a dramatic ordeal for one audience member and his son.

Warehouse driver Philip Peters, 54, had been looking forward to the show, a gift from his 17-year-old daughter.

However, things took an unexpected turn when he was forcefully removed from the venue after repeatedly shouting the comedian’s famous catchphrase, “garlic bread.”

A Warm Start That Quickly Soured

According to Peters, his first shout of “garlic bread” during the show was met with a positive response.

Peter Kay himself even acknowledged it, with cameramen zooming in on him, making it seem like all was in good spirits.

Encouraged by this, Peters repeated the phrase in the second half of the show—but this time, the atmosphere changed drastically.

Kay ordered the lights on and instructed security to escort Peters and his son out of the building.

‘Treated Like a Criminal’

Peters claims that security handled him aggressively, leaving him bruised and shaken.

“They dragged us out like rag dolls,” he said.

“I haven’t been able to walk properly at work today because of the bruises on my legs and arms.”

He also alleges that as he was being removed, Kay mocked him by saying, “You’re not laughing now.”

The removal, according to Peters, was excessive. Six security guards escorted him while three others handled his son.

Even police officers outside the venue, after speaking to security, simply told them to go home, reinforcing Peters’ belief that he had done nothing truly disruptive.

The Fallout and Audience Reactions

Not everyone in the audience saw Peters as an innocent fan.

Some attendees defended Peter Kay’s decision to remove the hecklers, arguing that the interruptions were disrupting the show.

“He absolutely deserved it,” said one audience member, Jo Llewellyn.

“He kept making a nuisance of himself. We were relieved when security stepped in.”

Another audience member recalled that Kay had actually asked the crowd whether they found the interruptions annoying, and when they responded affirmatively, the removal was set in motion.

Many in the audience reportedly clapped as security led Peters out.

More Ejections and Accusations of Insensitivity

The controversy didn’t end there. Shortly after Peters’ removal, another audience member— a woman sitting nearby—shouted “We love you, Peter Kay!”

In response, the comedian reportedly made a joke about her weight, comparing her to actress Lisa Riley.

She, too, was then ejected from the show.

Some fans were taken aback by Kay’s harsh handling of the situation.

“It was really cruel,” said one attendee.

“There was no reason to call her Lisa Riley. She was just showing appreciation.”

Disappointment Over the Show’s Tone

For some fans, the night left a sour taste. James Featherstone, who traveled from Yorkshire with his family, was particularly disappointed.

“I could tell from the start something was off with Peter Kay,” he said.

“He didn’t seem like himself. Some of the jokes felt recycled from other comedians.”

Featherstone also felt the ejections were handled poorly.

“At a push, they could have politely asked them to leave. Instead, it felt like a spectacle.

It wasn’t clear at first whether Kay was joking about removing them or not.”

Peter Kay’s Unstoppable Success

Despite the controversy, Peter Kay’s comeback tour remains a record-breaking success.

With sold-out shows and an estimated revenue of £27 million in 2024 alone, he continues to be one of the UK’s most successful comedians.

The tour, which originally kicked off in December 2022, has been extended with new dates through 2026, visiting 16 cities and breaking attendance records along the way.

What’s Next?

While Kay’s professional success is undeniable, the debate over his handling of hecklers remains.

Some see him as rightfully maintaining control over his show, while others believe his reaction was overly harsh.

As he prepares for another year of performances, fans will be watching closely to see if similar incidents occur—or if Kay adopts a different approach to audience interaction.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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