Emmerdale’s Lisa Riley has issued a statement of support after Peter Kay’s heckler controversy. The Bolton comic had hecklers removed from his show at the AO Arena on February 8.
The incident has become a huge talking point, with Good Morning Britain chairing a discussion today on if hecklers should be banned. As one of the hecklers was removed, it was reported the 51-year-old comic drew comparisons between her and Emmerdale star Lisa Riley.
The comedian has issued a statement to Good Morning Britain today to set the record straight on the incident. He said: “I didn’t realise it was an insult.
“She did look remarkably like Lisa Riley, I didn’t realise that was an insult. There comes a point when dealing with repeated hecklers simply isn’t enough. It’s not something you ever want to do but it becomes a point when it’s no longer fair to everyone around.”
Lisa, who plays Mandy Dingle in Emmerdale in the fictional Yorkshire village, has taken to Instagram to show support for the comic. On her Instagram Story, the soap star posted: “Please draw a line under this now, I am not offended, never was offended.
“I love Peter Kay to pieces. Laughter is my favourite medicine.” She issued a cryptic comment last night that also appeared to reference the incident as she said: “Keep calm and laugh.”
The ITV news programme anchored a discussion between podcaster Lewis Oakley and comedian Kane Brown on today’s show. Kane defended his fellow comic as he said: “We work on our craft.
“We work for two to three years on a bit of material for the show. You can’t come and interrupt what we’re doing. It’s not right to spoil the show for everybody else.
The podcaster argued: “Is comedy not supposed to be interactive? Do you really want a comedy show where everyone sits there in silence like a play? If you want the laughs, you’ve got to take the heckles.”
Kane shot back: “Didn’t you hear [Peter Kay] said repeated? Once is OK, twice maybe, but if you keep going on and you’re interrupting the show, your £20 doesn’t entitle you to spoil the show for everyone else.”
Fans took to the comment after the clip was posted on social media platform X. Caroline said: “Absolutely right to have them removed”
Sean commented: “Peter Kay was right to have the two hecklers out.” Paul posted: “If the heckler can’t be quietened by embarrassment, then they are eventually going to spoil the show for the other paying guests.”
Maria posted: “You can only let people heckle for so long then they need to stop agree people have paid to see the comic not someone constantly shouting the same thing & being disruptive I’ve seen Peter he does interact with hecklers but I’m guessing he has a schedule to fit his material in to!”