Jim Davidson: Concern over disabled in audience

Speaking before a show on Tuesday night at Swansea's Grand Theatre he accused one woman who refused to move at Monday's performance at Plymouth Pavilions of "playing the handicapped card".

Officials from the Pavilions said the comic told them he could not perform because disabled people were in the front row and that would spoil part of his act.

Management at the Pavilions are now considering legal action after the cancellation angered the 1,700-strong audience.

I do what I do and people love it, why do the people in the wheelchairs go there Jim Davidson What do you think? Have your say at BBC Devon Online

"Mr Davidson cited the fact that a proportion of his act was aimed at disabled customers and that he would be unable to perform under these circumstances," said a theatre spokesman.

"The Pavilions has a limited number of positions in the Arena that can accommodate wheelchair users.

"These positions are in the front stalls including the front row."

But Mr Davidson, who earlier in the day issued a statement apologising if he had upset any member of the audience, said one woman who refused to move should have been "sensible".

"If they really wanted to see me this woman should have listened to my request," said Mr Davidson.

"And instead of playing the handicapped card she could have been sensible and 2,000 people would have had a great night including her."

"I hate people playing the handicapped card or the racist card.

"I do what I do and people love it, why do the people in the wheelchairs go there?

"It takes a brave man to be in the front of Jim Davidson concert anyway, let alone being in a wheelchair."

One Davidson fan Jeff Peppitt, from Plymouth, who was in Monday night's audience said: "He is supposed to be a professional, if his act was based around that, why couldn't he change his act to suit the audience?

"He has really let us down."