Council cancellation of controversial comedian contested

Nearly 29,000 people have signed a petition in support of Roy "Chubby" Brown after a performance in Sheffield was cancelled.

Sheffield City Trust, which runs Sheffield Town Hall, says the comedian's humour does not reflect its values.

It has issued refunds to all 300 ticket holders. The venue's capacity is more than 2,300.

Petitioners are fighting back with a freedom of expression argument: "If you don't like it, don't go watch."

The trust's decision follows a pre-pandemic pattern of regional venues cancelling the comedian's shows.

ArtsProfessional reported in 2019 that the boss of Middlesbrough Town Hall, a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England, resigned after the local council overrode her decision not to book Roy Chubby Brown.