Comedian has gig cancelled after 'disgusting' comment on Liverpool parade crash
A comedian has had one of his gigs cancelled after sparking outrage over a "horrific" comment he made following the Liverpool FC parade crash - which left more than 60 people injured.
Andrew Lawrence triggered a social media backlash after he took to X (formerly Twitter) at 2.33pm on Tuesday and said: "To be fair, if I was in Liverpool, I'd drive through crowds of people to get the f**k out of there as well."
The post sparked more than 7,000 responses on X, with several criticising his "disgraceful" joke and inundating an event venue he was due to perform at with complaints, reports The Mirror.
The comedian, who appeared as a one-time guest on Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, has now had the gig at a crazy golf course in Southend, Essex, cancelled.
His comment comes after at least 65 people were injured after a car slammed into a crowd of revellers during the parade on Water Street on Monday evening.
Fire crews and ambulances raced to the scene where they freed three adults and one child who became trapped underneath the vehicle, while a traumatised dad described the heart-stopping moment the car dragged his baby son 15ft down the street in his buggy.
A 53-year-old white British man from West Derby in Liverpool has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, dangerous driving offences and driving while unfit through drugs.
Mr Lawrence describes himself as a "comedian on YouTube" on his X profile, while his own website says he is "one of the most highly regarded, in demand live stand-up comedians in the UK".
Responding to his post on X, actor Barry Sloane said: "You absolute disgrace." Colm Brady said: "Disgusting. Violence was not used, read their email response. They do not condone your vile tweets."
Hillsborough Survivors Support Alliance CIC added: "A comedian really? You're an embarrassment to the profession." X user HLTCO said: "'Comedian' is doing some outrageously heavy lifting in that bio."
A number of people reportedly contacted the venue in Essex to complain about the comment.
Caddies Southend swiftly cancelled the event, writing this morning on X: "The event organisers who had hired our Comedy Club for the Andrew Lawrence night, have cancelled the event. We do not condone or support the comment that has been made online, and we send everyone impacted by the tragic events in Liverpool our support and prayers."
Mr Lawrence then responded, saying the venue failed to show "courage". He wrote: "This venue lost their courage after being bombarded with abuse and threats of violence from online trolls.
"Understandable, but disappointing. I will reschedule for later in the year at a different venue Southend, sorry for the inconvenience, have a great day."
He turned off his replies on X, limiting them to those he follows.
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