Roy Chubby Brown's comedy gig has been pulled from Swansea Grand Theatre by the council because it 'doesn't reflect its values'.

The controversial entertainer was due to appear in the city in April next year and he has previously performed at the Grand Theatre.

But Swansea Council has decided not to go ahead with a provisional booking after considering how it would work alongside its new 'programming aspirations'.

They've apologised to ticket holders, who will be refunded.

The move has caused controversy with fans who have been left "gutted" and "disappointed" with the decision as they were looking forward to the show.

(Image: Evening Gazette)

(Image: Robert Melen)

In a statement released on social media, Swansea Council said: "We have decided not to go ahead with a provisional booking for Roy “Chubby” Brown after considering how it would work alongside our new programming aspirations and partnerships.

"We want all our communities and staff to feel welcome and we felt this booking was unlikely to reflect our values and commitments to them.

"After fully considering the booking, we are refunding 52 advance sale ticket-holders and we apologise to those who may have been disappointed.

"We recently decided that a fresh approach is essential if we are to cater for future audience needs.

"Our aim is to refresh the Grand Theatre programming and offer something new and fresh for all our communities; this will meet Swansea Council’s commitment to culture, regeneration and equal opportunity.

"As a result, the Grand Theatre is developing an exciting new programming structure, looking to develop younger, family and diverse audiences via inclusive creative programming. We’re confident this will bring great pleasure to many thousands of people over the coming years."

On Roy Chubby Brown's Facebook page, his manager Tony Jo posted: "I have always sold out in Swansea and was looking forward to the show, the audience in Swansea are a pleasure to work for and I am gutted that it has been cancelled.

"How can a council go against the wishes of the people who voted them in!? Roy is one of the most popular artistes ever to appear in Swansea and the crowds love him! Who has made a minority decision for the majority?"

His manager compared the decision to Brexit.

He said: "It’s like Brexit, what the people want doesn’t seem to matter anymore, it’s all about a few individuals making a lot of noise on the council! It’s about time the majority out voted the minority. it’s not a crime to have an opinion!.

"Everybody seems to be frightened to be honest in case they upset some militant minority soap box protagonist! Grow a backbone and tell them to live or let live, everybody’s got different tastes, not everybody likes Marmite but it doesn’t mean the people that eat it are wrong! Chubby for Prime minister."

Fans also attacked the decision. There are hundreds of comments on Swansea Council's Facebook post on the announcement, the vast majority unhappy with the move to cancel.

Morgan Evans said: "'Looking to develop younger, family and diverse audiences'. Yeah, booking the Bay City Rollers for the 20th time will certainly accomlish that."

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Nigel Waters said: "Who the hell are these guardians of our snowflake morals? I worked in the Grand for 30 years and never saw the show once as it did not appeal...but he certainly had his audience and he sold out. Thank goodness I don't work there now if this is the attitude of the theatre."

And Paul McAdam said: "The second city of Wales now has a Labour administration that thinks it can censor what its residents can and cannot see at the theatre. I'm raging. So much for catering to all sections of the community."