Major police update as Peter Kay show evacuated over 'bomb hoax'

Police have given an update after comedian Peter Kay was ushered off stage mid-performance and the audience was evacuated after a 'bomb hoax'. Witnesses said that two members of staff came onto the stage about 45 minutes into the performance, whispered into Kay’s ear, and then escorted him off. West Midlands Police said a 19-year-old man is being held after the show at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham was halted on Friday evening over a “potential suspicious bag”. But now in an update this morning the force said "no items of a suspicious nature were found" and that a teenager had been arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax and was was being held in custody as an investigation continues. A statement from West Midlands Police read: "Following searches of the Utilita Arena last night no items of a suspicious nature were found. A 19-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence and remains in custody this morning as our enquiries continue. "We're grateful to everyone for their co-operation and understanding. As always our priority is the safety of the public." Steve Aspinall, who was at the gig with his wife, said following the evacuation: “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.” Miranda Richardson, 52, a pub landlady from Northampton, said: “It was very swift. One minute (Peter Kay’s) on stage and the gig is great, then two of the event team walk on stage straight to him, quick word and he’s ushered off. “The staff tells us due to unforeseen circumstances we all have to evacuate the arena straight away. Staff helped get people out and it was calm and swift. We heard very quickly someone had claimed a bag had been left somewhere. No messing, it was just all out.”