CONTROVERSIAL comedian Jim Davidson has been banned from performing at a theatre in Kent just days after threatening to punch an Echo reporter during a gig in Cheltenham.
The funnyman made the extraordinary outburst during his stand-up routine at the Town Hall as he reacted to a story where he was interviewed about the sexual assault allegations against him.
Now, less than a week after his performance at the venue, the 59-year-old has been told by managers at Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre he will not be allowed to perform due to the nature of his act.
They believe his stand-up material has the potential to upset supporters and patrons of the venue.
Theatre director, Mark Everett, said: "I have an incredibly mixed programme and I am not shy about upsetting people.
"But there is a step too far. Jim hasn't done himself any favours.
"He is a great comic but his material is offensive to so many people. He generates such strong feeling, particularly among women and the disabled.
"I respect him but for some it would tarnish the Marlowe's name. I have no doubt that if we booked him he would sell out. But we are not just in the business of selling out performances. It is nothing personal to him."
The former Big Break and Generation Game presenter took to Twitter to vent his frustration at the decision and has also written a piece on his personal blog.
Davidson said of the decision: "Sad but it is up to him, he's the boss.
"It would seem that one man decides what the town can watch. It is a bit odd seeing that it is a council venue. Still it's his decision."
The comic – who used Twitter to vent his frustration at an Echo reporter in the aftermath of a review of his gig in Cheltenham – has since quit the social networking site.
In his blog he wrote: "I think I've had enough of Twitter. It's great fun but it's like talking to friends and nutters keep butting in. They all look the same as well don't they. So just the website now."
The funnyman made the extraordinary outburst during his stand-up routine at the Town Hall as he reacted to a story where he was interviewed about the sexual assault allegations against him.
Now, less than a week after his performance at the venue, the 59-year-old has been told by managers at Canterbury's Marlowe Theatre he will not be allowed to perform due to the nature of his act.
They believe his stand-up material has the potential to upset supporters and patrons of the venue.
Theatre director, Mark Everett, said: "I have an incredibly mixed programme and I am not shy about upsetting people.
"But there is a step too far. Jim hasn't done himself any favours.
"He is a great comic but his material is offensive to so many people. He generates such strong feeling, particularly among women and the disabled.
"I respect him but for some it would tarnish the Marlowe's name. I have no doubt that if we booked him he would sell out. But we are not just in the business of selling out performances. It is nothing personal to him."
The former Big Break and Generation Game presenter took to Twitter to vent his frustration at the decision and has also written a piece on his personal blog.
Davidson said of the decision: "Sad but it is up to him, he's the boss.
"It would seem that one man decides what the town can watch. It is a bit odd seeing that it is a council venue. Still it's his decision."
The comic – who used Twitter to vent his frustration at an Echo reporter in the aftermath of a review of his gig in Cheltenham – has since quit the social networking site.
In his blog he wrote: "I think I've had enough of Twitter. It's great fun but it's like talking to friends and nutters keep butting in. They all look the same as well don't they. So just the website now."
