CONTROVERSIAL comedian Roy ‘Chubby’ Brown has cancelled his forthcoming gig in Bacup.

The 69-year-old was due to perform at the town’s Royal Court Theatre on December 12, but the show’s promoters yesterday confirmed they had pulled the plug on his visit.

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The Rochdale Road venue said it was “disappointed” by the decision, having sold 476 tickets for the event.

Mr Brown, who is due to play in Londonderry tonight (SAT), is currently touring in support of his latest DVD, and has eight other shows scheduled for December.

A statement issued by the stand-up’s Saddleworth-based promoters, Handshake Limited, said: “Due to circumstances beyond our control, it is with regret that Bacup on Friday, December 12, 2014, has been cancelled. Full refunds will be issued – please contact your point of sale.”

The promoter would not clarify its reasons for the cancellation when contacted by the Lancashire Telegraph yesterday, but did confirm that it had received an alternative offer to host the show from the 600-capacity Bacup Hub.

A spokesman for the Royal Court Theatre, which holds 485 people, stressed that the show had been called off by the promoter and the venue had been looking forward to hosting Mr Brown.

He said: “As far as we are concerned, we do not know why it has been cancelled. The reasons were not detailed by the promoter. We tried our best to salvage the show.

“The Royal Court Theatre did not know the promoter was releasing a statement to say the show was cancelled. All we saw was a message on Facebook. We prefer to issue statements at the same time as promoters, as that way it reassures customers.

“Anybody who bought tickets online through TicketSource should have an email regarding refunds. Anyone who paid in person at the theatre can get a refund from next Friday.

“We sold 476 tickets for the event – a sell-out – and this is really disappointing for us, but we just have to get on with it. We are a registered charity, but that’s showbusiness.”

Dozens of fans took to Facebook to express their dismay at the cancellation, including Donna Crankshaw, from Rawtenstall, who said: “Gutted is not the word. I was so looking forward to seeing you in Bacup and had front row seats.”

Mr Brown responded: “Sorry everyone, but not my fault.”

Catherine Chadwick, owner of Bacup Hub, said she hoped to host Mr Brown on February 28, although Handshake Limited said that had yet to be confirmed.