Peter Kay rushed off stage and Birmingham arena show evacuated after suspicious bag found

Comedian Peter Kay has been rushed off stage and his Birmingham show evacuated after a suspicious bag was found.

A man has been arrested and the area is being searched as a precaution.

"We are carrying out an evacuation at the

in Birmingham after a potential suspicious bag was found," West Midlands Police said.

"A 19-year-old man is in custody and as a precaution the site is currently subject of a search."

One audience member said on X, formerly Twitter, that Kay had "been dragged off stage abruptly and we've all been hurried out".

Another, Jason Grinham, wrote on the platform that he had just been evacuated and had seen "Peter Kay bundled off stage".

Steve Aspinall, who was there with his wife, told PA: "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."

Geoff Marston, from Kettering, said the audience was ushered away towards the canal but security staff wouldn't tell them what was going on.

Miranda Richardson, a pub landlady from Northampton, 52, said: "It was very swift. One minute (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 tell 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. No messing, it was just all out."

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The alert reportedly happened about 45 minutes into the show.

Arena bosses said the venue was evacuated on police advice "after a potential suspicious bag was found nearby".

"The safety and security of our customers and colleagues is our highest priority," the venue's statement said.

"We can confirm everyone was safely evacuated and that the venue is secure."

Kay is also scheduled to play at the 15,800-capacity arena on Saturday night.

All profits from his long-running hit tour are going to a range of cancer charities.

(c) Sky News 2026: Peter Kay rushed off stage and Birmingham arena show evacuated after suspicious bag found