The Bodyguard cast member slams 'disgusting' audience behaviour as show forced to finish early

One of the stars of The Bodyguard has hit out at the 'disgusting behaviour' of audience members that led to riot police being called to the Palace Theatre.

A performance of the musical had to be stopped early at the Manchester city centre theatre on Friday evening after audience members repeatedly sang over the top of performers. The show's producers had asked the public to not sing during the performance, with signs installed around the auditorium.

However, after the musical was briefly paused during its first act to evict a handful of people who would not refrain from singing, police were called 10 minutes before its finale when "mini riots" and "fights" broke out among those watching. The show had to be stopped during the rendition of 'I Will Always Love You' and was finished 10 minutes early, with the audience told to leave the theatre.

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Ayden Callaghan, who plays bodyguard Frank Farmer in the musical, took to Twitter following the cancellation of the show.

The former Hollyoaks actor tweeted: "Theatre pulled the show at the end tonight because of disgusting behaviour. We wanted to carry on but it had become a major incident. I’m really sorry to what was 99.9% a brilliant audience that a few badly behaved individuals ruined it."

Addressing the decision to ask audience members not to sing during performances, he tweeted earlier today: "It’s not karaoke, we want people to enjoy themselves, and enjoy the performances they have paid to see.

"You don’t expect to go and have a kick about at Anfield when watching or a few rallies at Wimbledon as well as spectating. Respect the performers and fellow audience. Simple."

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