Former Brookside actor Vince Earl has been banned from a Liverpool theatre after he was accused of making racist jokes on stage during a comedy routine which took a turn
Former Brookside actor Vince Earl has issued an apology following accusations of racist comments during a performance at the Royal Court.
The Liverpool theatre has announced it will sever ties with the 81-year-old and confirmed that all future performers must sign up to an anti-racism pledge before taking the stage.
The Royal Court initiated an internal investigation after remarks made during a comedy set last month.
Mr Earl, famous for playing Ron Dixon in the Merseyside soap, was among the performers at the Doddy Day Happiness Show on October 26.
The annual event, now in its sixth year, took place at the Liverpool venue to honour the late comedian Ken Dodd’s memory with an afternoon of entertainment and laughs, reports the Liverpool Echo.
However, the occasion became embroiled in scandal.
The ECHO learned that several audience members walked out during Mr Earl’s performance, reportedly upset by the content of his material.
When contacted by the ECHO, the theatre could not verify whether patrons had indeed left during the show. Nevertheless, Mr Earl has since expressed regret for his routine, calling it a “lapse of judgement”.
His apology follows a statement from Royal Court CEO, who told the ECHO she was “horrified” by the remarks.
Gillian Miller declared: “We are horrified, as a theatre, that this happened on our stage. We have apologised to all attendees for the offensive comments that were made. We have told the performer he will not appear on our stage again.
“Our review includes ensuring all artists for events such as this sign up to our anti-racism statement. This is part of our wider work in equality, diversity and inclusion including a new role within the organisation and staff training.
“Our audience includes people of all ages and from every postcode in the city. There’s a rise in racism and intolerance in society and people feel under threat because of it.
“Our role as an arts venue is to be an inclusive space, to raise awareness and to tackle it through our work and actions.”
Mr Earl, who starred in Brookside from 1990-2003, has since apologised for the incident, expressing regret over his on-stage remarks.
Tony Nelson, Senior Partner at Haworth and Gallagher Solicitors, was appointed by Mr Earl to issue a statement on his behalf. Speaking to the ECHO, he said: “My client has been entertaining the Liverpool public as a singer and subsequently as an actor and a comedian for over 60 years.
“His role in life has always been to bring enjoyment to his audiences and to entertain them and bring fun to their lives.
“This lapse of judgement is sincerely regretted by him and I want to make it very clear that he meant no offence to anybody and he has informed the Royal Court that he wishes to forfeit his fee for the show and instead to donate it to charity.
“This is an isolated and unfortunate lapse of judgement for which my client is deeply sorry and has instructed me to confirm that he meant no offence to anybody and that he is not nor has never been racist in any way.”
The Ken Dodd Charity Foundation also commented on the incident, with a spokesperson telling the ECHO: “The Doddy Day Happiness Show is an annual event staged at the Royal Court Theatre to celebrate the memory of legendary comedian Sir Ken Dodd.
“Though Anne, Lady Dodd, and family members attended this show and Lady Dodd was on stage for a brief interview during the show, the Ken Dodd Charitable Foundation was not involved in the production of the show or for the booking of artists who took part.”
Want all the biggest Showbiz and TV news straight to your inbox? Sign up for our free Daily Star Showbiz newsletter.
#Brookside #star #apologises #racist #joke #sees #banned #theatre
