I just wanted to put smiles on people’s faces
ARENA STEWARD REVEALS SHOCK AT BECOMING SOCIAL MEDIA STAR
A SECURITY guard who ‘made everybody’s night’ after he was filmed dancing at a 90s pop concert has now reacted to the clip that went viral.
Les Perry, from Manchester, was caught busting out the dance moves at the AO Arena on Saturday night, much to the delight of fans who had been left disappointed when two headliners pulled out of the show.
The 48-year-old grandad, who works in retail as well as for crowd management company Showsec, has now spoken of his surprise at the mammoth reaction after the clip was first shared by the M.E.N.
Fans said he ‘made their night’ after they caught him grooving during a DJ set at the 90s Baby Pop show, where the then-unidentified steward could be seen clapping his hands in the air and urging crowds to get up and join him, with others on social media demanding he gets a pay rise, sharing their own clips of him on Twitter and TikTok.
Les told the M.E.N.: “I was absolutely gobsmacked. I just couldn’t believe a little dancing could have such a reaction.
“Working for Showsec isn’t my only job, I also work in retail. It makes you realise customer service is the key to everything. If you can treat people nicely and put a smile on their face, that’s all that matters.”
Les said that he had originally been on the ground directing fans to their seats, and that as he waved his hands, people thought he was dancing to the tunes. Many fans had been left disappointed on the night, as Aqua and 2 Unlimited failed to make the gig. “People just started laughing and enjoying it, so I went along with it,” he said.
“Being on the ground in security, we can sometimes get the backlash when people are unhappy. There were some upset people who had probably come to see their favourite acts, so I was just really trying to cheer people up and put a smile on their faces.” Admitting he doesn’t use Twitter or TikTok, Les had no idea of the videos being shared of him after the gig or the reaction it had received. Fans had been left disappointed after Aqua, known for their hits Barbie Girl and Doctor Jones, had to cancel their appearance when vocalist Lene Nystrom lost her voice. Meanwhile, 2 Unlimited cited problems with ‘unforeseen travel circumstances.’
I was absolutely gobsmacked. I just couldn’t believe a little dancing could have such a reaction Les Perry