02/09/2011

Banned Jim 'Rude' Davidson Is Belfast Bound

Controversial comedian Jim Davidson, who is due to appear in Belfast in November, has been barred from performing at a Norwich theatre because of previous 'rude' behaviour towards staff.

The comedian, who is currently on tour and heading to the Waterfront in November, posted a response from the Chief Executive of the Theatre Royal in Norwich on his website on Thursday after his booking was refused.

In the letter, Chief Executive Peter Wilson said Jim, 57, had been "very rude to staff" and would "prefer not to have you in our theatre".

Posting the letter on the Internet, Jim (pictured) wrote: "I wanted to let you nice people from Norwich know why I am not playing your theatre.

"I have been asked by many people in Norfolk why I do not play the county's most prestigious theatre as they think I am snubbing the town in favour of Great Yarmouth.

"You will see from the reply I have received from the Theatre Royal below, that this is not the case.

"If you have any comments I suggest you make them known to the theatre directly."

Mr Wilson told Jim that the theatre's senior managers gathered to discuss the shows that had appeared over the past six months and wrote an assessment form.

The form - about Jim's last show in August 15, 2004 read: "Very rude to staff.

"Arguments over figures, drinks etc, and personal comments that are not acceptable."

Mr Wilson added: "From the show report of that evening it is plain that you publicly insulted and demeaned my front of house colleagues, offensively queried the house returns, and refused to accept our policy on wheelchair users, and that your company manager Steve Farr behaved as badly."

Mr Wilson also said the show report showed Davidson had "publicly insulted and demeaned my front of house colleagues, offensively queried the house returns and refused to accept our policy on wheelchair users".

Responding to supportive comments from his fans, Jim wrote: "I think the bottom line is I talk about things they're not happy about, politically," before saying of Mr Wilson, "I bet he reads the Guardian and nothing else!!"

(DW/BMcC)

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