Teenager arrested on suspicion of bomb hoax after Peter Kay arena evacuation

A 19-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of a bomb hoax offence after a Peter Kay show in Birmingham was evacuated.

The comedian was rushed from the stage and the crowd told to leave the arena on Friday night after police found a "potentially suspicious bag" at the venue.

A West Midlands Police statement on Saturday morning said: "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."

Witnesses said two members of staff came onto the stage about 45 minutes into the performance and whispered into Kay's ear before he was escorted off.

Footage from Friday night shows crowds filing out of the arena, which can seat 15,000 spectators.

The gig was part of Kay's long-running Better Late Than Never tour, which will see all proceeds donated to cancer charities.

The Utilita Arena Birmingham confirmed that Kay's show at 8pm on Saturday would go ahead.

"Following the precautionary evacuation of Utilita Arena Birmingham during Peter Kay's performance last night, Friday 1st May, we can confirm that tonight's Peter Kay event, Saturday 2nd May, at Utilita Arena Birmingham will go ahead as planned," the venue said on X.

"Following an extensive search by West Midlands Police, no items of a suspicious nature were found, and the building was determined to be safe.

"West Midlands Police are satisfied with the security measures in place."

'Calm and swift evacuation'

Steve Aspinall, who was at the gig with his wife on Friday, said the abrupt end to the show caught them by surprise.

"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, adding that 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. 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."

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Miranda Richardson, 52, who was also at the show, said: "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."

On Friday, a spokesperson for the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) said: "Utilita Arena Birmingham has been evacuated as a precaution on the advice of West Midlands Police after a potential suspicious bag was found nearby.

"Ticket holders will be contacted directly in due course," it added.

(c) Sky News 2026: Teenager arrested on suspicion of bomb hoax after Peter Kay arena evacuation