Banbury United FC has announced a review of its venue hire arrangements after a performance by male revue group the UK Pleasure Boys sparked controversy in the Oxfordshire town.
The group staged its “Wet ’n’ Wild” show at The Spencer Clubhouse on October 17 as part of a year-long Western-themed tour. The event was advertised as an adults-only entertainment show, with tickets starting at £15.
Footage circulated online after the performance showed male performers interacting intimately with audience members, prompting complaints from some attendees and criticism from residents.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Banbury United said the event had gone beyond what it considered acceptable at its venue.
The club said the clubhouse had been hired by an external promoter as part of the group’s UK tour. It apologised to anyone who had been offended and confirmed that it was reviewing the incident and would revise its hiring and conduct terms for performance events.
Attendees Describe Show as More Explicit Than Expected
Some people who attended the performance said they had expected a dance show featuring male performers but were surprised by the nature of parts of the event.
Local resident Emma Cleall wrote on Facebook that she had anticipated dancing, humour and an entertaining night with friends.
She said the performance went beyond what she had expected, describing some of the acts as resembling a pornographic show.
Cleall added that the evening had initially been enjoyable but became uncomfortable as the performance progressed. She said she would not have attended had she known what to expect.
Videos shared after the event showed performers leaving the stage and interacting physically with women in the audience. The footage attracted widespread attention on social media.
Residents React to Videos From the Event
The performance became a topic of discussion across Banbury, with residents expressing different reactions to the footage.
Some people treated the incident as an unusual event for the town, while others said they were offended by what they had seen.
Jean Wallis, 67, criticised the performance and said she was appalled by the incident.
Ryan Jennings, 29, also expressed concern about the effect the event could have on Banbury’s reputation.
The controversy extended beyond the venue as videos circulated among local residents and prompted discussions about the behaviour shown in the footage.
Reports Emerge of Relationship Breakdown Following Footage
A local beautician, who spoke anonymously, claimed that at least one woman had been asked to leave her home by her partner after he saw footage of her at the show.
The beautician said she had initially suspected the videos were fake but later became convinced they showed what had happened at the event.
She criticised the behaviour depicted in the recordings and said the footage had shocked her.
The report did not identify the couple or independently confirm the circumstances surrounding their alleged separation.
Who Are the UK Pleasure Boys?
The UK Pleasure Boys are a male revue group that performs dance routines and striptease shows for adult audiences.
The troupe currently has eight performers, several of whom use stage names, including Seduction, AJ and Demolition.
The group’s performances feature choreographed dancing, music and progressively revealing costumes. The troupe has also appeared on television programmes, including Emmerdale, Casualty, Coronation Street and Judge Rinder.
Its “Wet ’n’ Wild” tour has visited several UK locations, including Bradford, Solihull, Newcastle, Sheffield and Walsall, with further performances scheduled in Birmingham and Lowestoft.
Tour Manager Says Banbury Performance Was More Heated Than Usual
John Woodward, manager of the UK Pleasure Boys, acknowledged that the Banbury performance had been more heated than the group’s usual shows.
He said there had been a lively atmosphere but added that the circumstances surrounding the incident were still being examined.
Woodward said it was not yet clear how the situation had escalated or whether audience members or performers had contributed to the events.
He confirmed that the group was looking into what had happened.
Previous Performances Also Prompted Complaints
The UK Pleasure Boys have faced criticism over previous performances in Northern Ireland.
In 2024, a Valentine’s weekend show at The Devenish Complex in Belfast prompted complaints from some members of the local community.
An attendee said the first half of the performance had been well received but that the second half took a different turn after a lengthy break.
In August 2026, the group was also scheduled to perform at Pat’s Bar in Enniskillen. The event drew criticism from Reverend James Porter of the Free Presbyterian Church of Ulster, who described the show as immoral and indecent in an open letter.
Despite the objections, Woodward defended the performance, which went ahead and sold out.
Former troupe member Jaden Nugent also said in an interview three years earlier that some audience members could become overly enthusiastic and grab performers during shows, sometimes causing discomfort.
Banbury United Prepares to Review Venue Rules
Banbury United said the clubhouse had been booked by an outside promoter and that the club was reviewing the circumstances surrounding the performance.
The club plans to revise its venue hire and conduct requirements for future entertainment events.
The Spencer Clubhouse, which has a capacity of approximately 250 people, includes a dance floor, bar and audiovisual equipment and is used for private functions, receptions and business events.
Banbury United, nicknamed the Puritans, plays its home matches at Tugo Community Stadium and was relegated to the seventh tier of English football in 2024.
The club is scheduled to face Bourne Town in the first round of the FA Trophy on Saturday at 3pm.
