Michael McIntyre walked off stage during a sold-out show because a member of the audience on the front row kept using her phone, it has emerged.

An angry Michael asked security to "sort it out" and promised the audience at Darlington's Civic Theatre he would be back, before he left the stage.

According to the Northern Echo newspaper, some fans chanted for the woman to be thrown out and security staff spoke to her.

Soon after the comedian carried on his act, in which he previewed material for his 2015 tour.

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People on Twitter apologised to the comedian after the show.

One said: "Michael McIntyre walked off stage in Darlington tonight because a woman in the front row kept using her phone. Stay classy Darlo."

Another said: "Great show in Darlington tonight.... sorry about the idiot in the front row. You handled her perfectly."

And another wrote: "You were absolutely fantastic my face cheeks are hurting. Sorry about the idiot front row."

Michael is just the latest performer to have a show brought to a halt by a phone.

Oscar-winner Kevin Spacey had to reprimand a member of the audience when their phone rang out during a one-man show at London's Old Vic in June.

He had to halt the legal drama Clarence Darrow to call out: "If you don't answer that, I will!" He received a round of applause.

Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig's unflappable reaction to a phone call spoiling their Broadway show A Steady Rain in 2009 became an internet sensation.

''Don't be embarrassed, just grab the phone,'' Hugh urged at one point.