A teenager has been charged with false communications relating to a bomb hoax after a Peter Kay gig was evacuated.
The show was stopped and the audience evacuated at Utilita Arena in Birmingham on Friday night after reports of a suspicious bag. The comedian was also ushered off stage mid-performance.
Police said on Saturday that no suspicions items have been found.
Omar Majed, 19, of Washwood Heath, Birmingham, was remanded in custody and will appear before magistrates in Birmingham on Monday, West Midlands Police said.
Kay’s show was halted after a “suspicious bag” was reported but West Midlands Police later said “nothing suspicious was found” during searches.
In an update on Saturday evening, the force said: “An evacuation of the arena was ordered yesterday evening after a report of a suspicious bag being left in the area.
“Following searches, nothing suspicious was found and we are grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding.
“As always our priority is the safety of the public.”
Doors opened at 6pm before the show began around 8pm.
Witnesses said two members of staff came onto the stage about 45 minutes into the performance, whispered into Kay’s ear, and then escorted him off.
Footage on social media showed people queueing to leave their seats as part of the evacuation. A video from outside the venue showed police vehicles and flashing lights.
Steve Aspinall, who was at the gig with his wife, said: “Two guys came on, one with a mic and headphones, one guy whispered to Peter Kay and then he and Peter Kay shot off down the side.”
He said the audience was told to look for security guards and listen out for any announcements.
“To be honest, I thought it was part of the show at first,” Mr Aspinall, who lives in Bideford, Devon, said.
“It was a strange atmosphere, eerie, just confused really (about) what was happening.
“But it was alright and everyone was calm and left quite quickly with no panic.”
In a statement on X, the arena said the Peter Kay event on Saturday evening would go ahead as planned, adding: “West Midlands Police are satisfied with the security measures in place.”
The statement added: “We would like to thank the attendees of yesterday’s Peter Kay event for their cooperation, which ensured a swift and safe evacuation.
“Ticket holders for yesterday’s Peter Kay performance will be contacted with the next steps from their original point of purchase.
“At Utilita Arena Birmingham, the safety and security of our customers and colleagues is always our first priority.
“Our security measures include several overt and covert security measures, so whilst you may not see all operational security activity, you should be assured that it is ongoing.
“Our Evolv security system uses advanced sensors and AI technology to screen everyone and their bags as they enter the arena, helping security teams identify potential threats quickly and accurately, supported by additional bag searches as required.”
The arena, which can seat around 15,800 people, was hosting Mr Kay as part of his latest tour across the UK and Ireland, with all profits donated to 12 leading cancer charities.
The charities are: Children With Cancer UK, Teenage Cancer Trust, Kidney Cancer UK, Blood Cancer UK, Bowel Cancer UK, Prostate Cancer UK, DKMS UK, Ovarian Cancer Action, Pancreatic Cancer UK, Anthony Nolan, The Brain Tumour Charity and Breast Cancer UK.
The comedian said last year: “Unfortunately, everybody knows someone who’s been affected on that list, and I just hope people support it. Come to the shows. That’s why I’m here.”
Mr Kay became a household name following his early 2000s TV creation, Phoenix Nights. He has since starred in other sitcoms including Peter Kay’s Car Share.
