Chubby ‘just a character’
‘CHUBBY’ Brown’s manager has spoken out after Lancaster City Council cancelled the comic’s upcoming Morecambe gig.
Ritchie Hoyle says Chubby is a “character created by Royston Vasey” - and to label him personally as sexist, racist and homophobic is an “insult bordering on slander”.
Officials have scrapped the performance next month “following concerns raised by its community”, saying Roy’s act was “not compatible” with the council’s values of “fairness, inclusion and diversity.
Meanwhile a petition to get the gig reinstated has gathered nearly 2,000 names.
Mr Hoyle, who is Roy’s tour manager, says the Teesside star’s on-stage persona “couldn’t be further from the truth” and he’s “bemused, astonished and bewildered” following the council’s decision.
“Chubby Brown is a fictional character , an act for God’s sake,” he said.
“For people who think Roy Chubby Brown is an actual person, I have news for you.
“Anthony Hopkins didn’t eat and murder people on his lunch break when he played the character Hannibal Lecter and Lou Ferrigno didn’t actually turn green when he got angry and throw a tank 400 metres in the air when he played the character the Incredible Hulk - I think you get where I’m coming from.”
“Anti Royston Vasey and Chubby protesters label him as sexist, homophobic, racist, a misogynist,” he added. “I find this offensive and totally insulting to Roy personally, in fact bordering on slander for a man they don’t even know.
“Roy Chubby Brown is a character created by Royston Vasey. It’s plain and simple, it’s comedy!
“I really feel this is not about the content of Roy’s shows any more and has gone way beyond Chubby Brown, to me this is now the snowflake, woke cancellation culture minority trying to dictate to the people what they can and can’t do.
“Taking away freedom of choice and speech, dictatorship seems to come to mind.
“Roy’s shows are behind closed doors, advertised as ‘if easily offended please stay away’ - and people have the choice whether to attend.
“Roy’s not on national TV and not widely available for the general public, so who could possibly be offended?
“As I understand it councillors are voted in by their communities to listen to and fulfil the needs of the majority’s interests that voted them in - 59 people in Morecambe signed a petition to ban Chubby, thousands disagree and would want Chubby to perform.
“Or at least be given the choice to attend and not be dictated to. To all councils and venues, I say please let’s stop this nonsense. Royston Vasey is a caring husband, father, family man, not sexist, racist, homophobic in any way.
“You’re running a business and the Chubby Brown show can bring much-needed finance to your venue, bars, restaurants and retail outlets in your area, the businesses you were voted in to help prosper as well as giving everyone a bloody good laugh which we all need in present times!
“The Chubby Brown character Roy created is a comedian and a bloody funny one, who brings laughter and happiness to thousands of people each year.
“Turn your attentions to the much more pressing issues around us today and try and help people in need.”