The sister of the Phoenix Nights actor Ted Robbins has described the Sun’s decision to publish a video of her brother having a cardiac arrest on stage as “vile”.
Kate Robbins, also an actor and singer, said it was “beyond belief” that the paper’s website carried not only a screengrab of the moment her brother collapsed at Manchester Arena, but urged readers to “join Sun+ today to see the exclusive footage”.
Saturday night’s performance was the first of 15 shows which saw the original cast of the programme reunited. Profits from the performances are going to Comic Relief.
The Sun's decision to post a video of my brother having cardiac arrest on stage during Comic Relief is beyond belief. What a vile paper
— Kate Robbins (@KateRobbins) February 2, 2015
Robbins, who plays Phoenix Nights villain Den Perry, was in the middle of a solo section of the revived live show when he clutched his chest, stumbled and fell to the ground during Saturday’s opening night.
The curtain was closed immediately as staff rushed to the stage with medical equipment and the show at the Manchester Arena was cancelled. He was reported to be in a stable condition early on Sunday after being taken to Wythenshawe hospital.
Under the headline “Watch the dramatic moment Ted Robbins collapsed on stage” the Sun’s website said the video showed the audience “roaring with laughter as the funnyman mumbles ‘bloody hell’ and falls to the floor”.
The webpage was taken down after the tweet from Kate Robbins.
A spokesman for the Sun said: “Ted Robbins collapsed at a live event in front of thousands of people and was recorded on a video that was passed to The Sun. We published this video with careful consideration of the fact that Mr Robbins was now sitting up and talking in his hospital bed.
“However, at the express wishes of the family, this video has now been withdrawn.”
