A veteran one-man band entertainer who starred on Britain's Got Talent and has appeared on TV's CBeebies was banned from a major textile fair because two of the string-operated marionettes he makes dance to his music have black faces.

Grandfather Roger Butler, 73 - who uses the stage name Chucklefoot - was told by organisers that people had complained his 12-inch high puppets were "politically incorrect" and "casually racist" .

And he was asked to leave them behind when he returned to play on the second day of the weekend-long Fibre East event at Redborne School in Ampthill, Beds, because of "cultural sensitivities"

Organiser Alison Lane texted him to say: "Bit awkward but I had a few comments about your puppets and the fact they are a little politically incorrect.

"It's the two front ones they don't like. The words 'casual racism' were used. I can't just ignore the comments or social media will tear me apart."

Mr Butler - who plays a banjo, blows his kazoo, shakes a tambourine and bangs a big bass drum strapped to his back - said: "You could have knocked me down with a feather. Nobody has ever complained before so I was absolutely flabbergasted.